The new funding will include up to £470 million to
build the port and inland infrastructure needed to
ensure compliance with new customs procedures and
controls, and take the UK’s border facilities to the
next level. The government is taking exceptional action
to build new border infrastructure inland where there
is no space at ports. Where ports have space to build
on site they will get one-off financial support to
ensure the right infrastructure is in place.
The government has been intensively engaging with
industry in recent months to ensure that the processes
we introduce and the infrastructure we develop is fit
for purpose, and that they are ready to manage changes
and capitalise on opportunities at the end of the
transition period.
Today’s announcement also includes a significant £235
million investment in staffing and IT systems. This
includes:
-
£10 million to recruit around 500 more Border Force
personnel and £20 million for new equipment so they
can continue to keep our country safe and secure;
-
More than £100 million to develop HMRC systems to
reduce the burden on traders, alongside additional
investment in technology to ensure that new
controls can be fully implemented in the “Roll On,
Roll Off” environment;
-
£15 million to build new data infrastructure to
enhance border management and flow helping us on
our way to the world’s most effective border by
2025 .
This package is on top of the £84 million already
provided in grants to ensure there is sufficient
capacity in the customs intermediary sector to support
traders. This funding will support intermediaries
through increased recruitment, training, and by
supplying IT equipment to help handle customs
declarations.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said:
We are taking back control of our borders, and
leaving the single market and the customs union at
the end of this year bringing both changes and
significant opportunities for which we all need to
prepare.That is why we are announcing this major
package of investment today.
With or without further agreement with the EU, this
£705 million will ensure that the necessary
infrastructure, tech and border personnel are in
place so that our traders and the border industry are
able to manage the changes and seize the
opportunities as we lay the foundations for the
world’s most effective and secure border.
On 1 January 2021 the transition period with the
European Union will end and the UK will leave the
single market and customs union, regardless of the
agreement the UK reaches with the European Union on its
future trade relationship. The government has been
working closely with industry to help them prepare for
these changes and will shortly be publishing the Border
Operating Model setting out in detail how the GB-EU
border will operate.
This major funding package comes ahead of the launch of
a new public information campaign to ensure the UK is
ready to seize global opportunities at the end of the
transition period. As part of this campaign, detailed
guidance will be given to traders and hauliers
explaining what they may need to do to prepare for the
end of the transition period.
