UK National Audit Office - Report on Preparedness for Brexit

Link to NAO Announcement

Link to Summary Report.

The UK National Audit office (NAO) has published the findings of its investigation into UK preparedness for Brexit. The study concludes that preparations are still very challenging, even as the deadline is approaching at the end of 2020, made more difficult by the changing political context and the disruption caused by the Covid-19 crisis. UK plans are based on the assumption that no deal will be made with the EU, but this is still a siginifcant risk in implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol. It is considered very unlikely that all traders, industry and third parties will be ready for the end of the transition period, particularly if the EU implements full border controls from 1 January 2021. Some measures are being put in place, but there is an expectation of widespread disruption at the border.

The report states that “As a result of the government’s decision to leave the EU customs union and the single market it is inevitable that there will be additional administration and checks required to manage the border. However, this friction will be exacerbated if traders and others are not prepared for the likelihood that the EU will apply full customs and regulatory controls from 1 January 2021. On 21 October 2020, BPDG assessed trader and passenger readiness as red. The government’s latest reasonable worst-case planning assumptions, as of September 2020, are that 40% to 70% of laden lorries may not be ready for border controls.”

It goes on: “The government’s plan for reducing the risk of disruption at the approach to the short Channel crossings is still developing, with various operational issues to be resolved. The government is planning on the basis that, in a reasonable worst-case scenario, up to 7,000 lorries may need to queue at the approach to the short Channel crossings. It is developing new arrangements to try to minimise the length of queues. These depend on new technology and will require the engagement of traders and hauliers. The government plans to launch a new online service (called ‘Check an HGV’) for hauliers to check and self-certify that they have the correct documentation for EU import controls before travelling, and to subsequently obtain a permit to drive on prescribed roads in Kent. Those without a permit will face a fine of £300. This plan requires hauliers to have a much more detailed knowledge of the load they are carrying than has been the case previously.”