Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish details of the Border Target Operating Model to support businesses to prepare for implementation; and what assessment have they made of (1) the costs to businesses of this preparation and (2) the impact on supply chains of its implementation.

In April 2023, the Government published through Written Ministerial Statement UIN HLWS695 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-04-17/hlws695 the launch of the Border Target Operating Model, in collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments. This sets out plans to introduce security and biosecurity controls from the 31st October 2023 in a way which implements critical protections at the UK border, while ensuring that these new controls are as simple as possible for businesses to comply with. By harnessing data and technology and taking a proportionate, risk-based approach to these controls, we have developed a model that works best for the UK. It could save UK importers around £400m each year compared to the model we would have introduced from last year.

The relevant business stakeholders told us before publication that they will need time to prepare for these changes, and our phased approach gives them this time. We are working to ensure that UK and international businesses and their supply chains are aware of and understand the new requirements and are ready for these changes. On Friday 28th April we published a detailed risk categorisation of animal products, plants and plant products of EU and EFTA origin. This provides clarity to importers on what controls will be applied to the different risk categories, including when health certificates will be required to import goods from 31st October 2023.

The Government is using the current period of engagement to gather views on our draft proposals from businesses in the UK and overseas, to explore the costs of implementing the new model, and to ensure importing is as smooth as possible where checks are needed.

We will publish a final version of the Border Target Operating Model, reflecting feedback from stakeholders, in the summer.