Import check delay an admission that Brexit deal is increasing costs

This morning the Minister for Brexit Opportunities announced that the scheduled introduction of even more post-Brexit import checks will be delayed for a fourth time.

The decision was reportedly made over concerns that more checks would deepen the cost of living crisis by increasing red tape and costs for suppliers and thereby increasing the cost of consumer goods.

Responding to the announcement, Hilary Benn MP, Co-chair of the UK Trade and Business Commission, said:

“Today’s announcement is an admission by ministers that introducing their new customs controls would hamstring our economy and worsen the cost of living crisis by artificially making trade more expensive for businesses and consumers. 

“Meanwhile British businesses trying to export to the EU will continue to face costs, delays and red tape which the same ministers have imposed on them. 

“It is extraordinary that imports into the UK are being favoured over UK exports to the EU and this just highlights the barriers to trade that have been put in place by their threadbare Brexit deal.”