Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 23 November 2023 (HL180), whether they plan to publish an assessment of the state of readiness of (1) the UK, and (2) EU member states, for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model.

The UK Government is prepared for the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model and is working with EU member states to ensure they are prepared ahead of implementation in three stages: January 2024 (health certificates), April 2024 (physical checks) and October 2024 (safety and security).

The Government has monitored preparedness of businesses in both the UK and the EU through a readiness survey which has attracted over 2000 responses. The Government has also engaged directly with EU based businesses through a series of overseas visits to meet industry figures and raise awareness of the forthcoming controls. The Government is engaging UK businesses both via existing business-government engagement routes, and, on the BTOM specifically, through a series of commodity-specific webinars.

The Government has engaged with the European Commission directly, and with EU Member States individually on a government-government level to ensure that EU authorities are prepared for the controls.

Whilst we do not feel it is necessary to publish a readiness assessment, we will continue to monitor preparedness and to support businesses as the Border Target Operating Model is implemented.