British firms trading with the EU will face a tangle of red tape, possible delays at the border and cash flow disruption if the government is unable to negotiate an exit deal with Brussels before it leaves the bloc next March.
The government published a series of notes advising people and businesses how to protect themselves from the potential disruption of a “no deal” break with the EU, from stockpiling drugs to new paperwork for trade.
Britain has yet to reach an exit agreement with the EU with little more than seven months to go until March 29 when it leaves the bloc. Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan for a “business-friendly deal” has failed to impress negotiators in Brussels and has been heavily criticised at home.
Nevertheless, both sides maintain they are aiming to reach a deal in time.
Brexit minister Dominic Raab, in a speech marking the release of the paper, said he wanted to make sure Britain “goes from strength to strength, even in the unlikely event that we do not reach a negotiated deal with the EU … I’m confident that a good deal is within our sights. That remains our top priority, that remains our over-riding priority”.
However, the government’s guidance make it clear that companies trading with Europe would face new paperwork to cover customs and safety declarations in the event of no deal, paperwork that is currently not required.
Businesses would also have to apply the same customs and excise rules to goods moving between Britain and the EU as currently apply when goods move between Britain and a country outside of the EU. VAT could also be required to be paid up front.
If the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal “the free circulation of goods between the UK and EU would cease”, the guidance said.
In total, about 80 technical notices are expected over the coming weeks. They will be closely scrutinised by industry to see how well prepared Britain is for an outcome many employers have warned will be hugely disruptive.
The government has maintained throughout the negotiation process that it is preparing for all possible outcomes, including “no deal”. Several ministers have warned that the risk of leaving without an agreement has increased. Earlier this month, trade minister Liam Fox put the chances at 60/40.
Many economists say failure to agree exit terms would seriously damage the world’s fifth-largest economy as trade with the EU, Britain’s largest market, would become subject to tariffs. Supporters of Brexit say there may be some short-term pain for the economy, but that long-term it will prosper when cut free from the EU.
The opposition Labour party’s Brexit spokesperson Keir Starmer said the talks with the EU are “going badly” and the publication of the documents on how to prepare for a “no deal” is a sign the government is “moving into panic mode”.
Reuters