We have seen the government's 206-page final Brexit border plan. Here are the key highlights (Thread) bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
To be clear, we haven't broken any embargo. This document was sent to me by 3 separate people this morning. See the timestamp on our story. And it confirms what we wrote 2 weeks ago 1/
Here are the actions the government is telling businesses to take.
Note this admission: ``Customs declarations are complicated.''
Indeed - and they'll be required on all UK-EU trade 2/
Note this admission: ``Customs declarations are complicated.''
Indeed - and they'll be required on all UK-EU trade 2/
The most important bit is about how trade will work through `roll-on, roll-off' ports like Dover and Calais.
From January, trucks will need explicit permission from HMRC before they can take goods to the U.K.-EU border 3/
From January, trucks will need explicit permission from HMRC before they can take goods to the U.K.-EU border 3/
From July, there'll be a new IT system where trucks get a unique reference number proving they have the right documents to cross into the EU.
Without a valid reference number, they won't be allowed onto a ferry destined for the EU
(And yes, Brexit means flowcharts like this) 4/
Without a valid reference number, they won't be allowed onto a ferry destined for the EU
(And yes, Brexit means flowcharts like this) 4/
The government is calling this a `Smart Freight System'. This part of the document is where they're most frank about the challenges ahead 5/
Where will the government do the checks to ensure trucks have the right reference number from the new IT system?
Per the excellent scoop by @lisaocarroll, it'll be at new lorry parks like the one planned for Ashford 6/ theguardian.com/politics/2020/…
Per the excellent scoop by @lisaocarroll, it'll be at new lorry parks like the one planned for Ashford 6/ theguardian.com/politics/2020/…
Michael Gove will give a statement in the Commons later on these plans. Plus the government's new Brexit advertising campaign is live.
It's all getting very real... (ends) bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
It's all getting very real... (ends) bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Interesting enforcement line in the gov's Brexit border plan -- lorries could face fines if they don't comply with the new system bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
I went on the BBC with @BBCSimonMcCoy to discuss the new Brexit red tape. Thanks to @catherinehwyatt for the clip
