Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what contingency plans he is making in relation to UK freight transport using UK ports in the event that (a) no deal with the EU is reached, (b) multi-lateral or bi-lateral driving permits are not honoured after the UK leaves the EU and (c) there is a delay in the number of trained staff being available to adequately cope with the additional customs demands at ports after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government has been clear that it is in everyone’s interests to secure a good deal for both sides, and does not want nor expect a ‘no deal’ outcome from these negotiations.

With respect to a) and b):

On 19 July the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act received Royal Assent, to ensure that the UK has the powers it needs to support British hauliers to continue operating internationally after exiting the EU. A permit scheme, should it be required, could take several forms. One such scheme is the ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport) permit scheme. This is a non-EU agreement which facilitates reciprocal access amongst its member countries, and hence could be used in the unlikely event of no deal with the EU.

In addition, on 18 May 2018 my Hon Friend the Transport Minister Jesse Norman MP announced plans to improve overnight lorry parking and to ease traffic in the event of cross-Channel disruption.

As regards to c), as the previous Home Secretary announced on 28 March 2018 the UK has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign for officers to help prepare the UK border for leaving the EU, an approximate 1,000 roles in total are being advertised across Border Force. This is on top of 300 frontline Border Force officers already recruited in preparation for exiting the EU. The campaign will provide Border Force with the flexibility to respond effectively to emerging requirements, including any future needs as a result of EU Exit.

HMRC are on course to deliver functioning customs, VAT and excise regimes the UK will need once it leaves the EU in any scenario. This will enable trade to flow, HMRC to collect revenues and the UK to have a secure border.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will be providing further information on our plans for a range of exit scenarios in order to guide businesses and the public on how they can best prepare for our exit from the EU.