Haulage bosses demand ‘urgent’ meeting with ministers over Brexit border fears

Haulage bosses have called for an “urgent” meeting with cabinet ministers over concerns there are “significant gaps” in the UK’s Brexit border preparations.

Severe disruption anticipated

Eight logistics organisations, including the Road Haulage Association (RHA), have written to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove to highlight fears the UK-EU supply chain “will be severely disrupted” next year if issues are not resolved before Brexit. The group is seeking a roundtable meeting with Gove, chancellor Rishi Sunak, and transport secretary Grant Shapps to discuss areas including IT systems and physical border infrastructure.

The letter states:

As key participants in the supply chain who will be required to deliver a functional operating border for GB and EU traders next year, we have visibility of the current state of preparedness which as it stands has significant gaps.

If these issues are not addressed disruption to UK business and the supply chain that we all rely so heavily on will be severely disrupted.

Just 83 working days to go… Multiple new systems in development by @HMRCgovuk that thousands of businesses will need to get a grip on. @RHANews @business @FT @CBItweets @fsb_policy @pmdfoster @BIFA @ColdChainShane @heliaebrahimi @MJRReid @RHAJohnMartin #smartfreight https://t.co/eKg914rUPL pic.twitter.com/G7WYNUPgDc

— Duncan Buchanan (@DBuchanan_) September 3, 2020

It adds:

The Covid pandemic has demonstrated to both Government and the general public the importance of a free-flowing supply chain, and with transition occurring at the same time as a potential second Covid spike it is critical we ensure the supply chain is protected.

We are asking you to take seriously our concerns and listen to the detail during this roundtable so that we can collectively help Government manage through this enormous challenge with as little disruption as possible.

Our aim, like yours, is to have a functional and effective border that allows goods to flow from January 1 2021.

A range of critical issues

Signatories to the letter also include Logistics UK, UK Warehousing Association, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Cold Chain Federation, British Association of Removers, British International Freight Association, and British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said:

There are a range of critical issues the Chancellor, Michael Gove and the Transport Secretary need to address ranging from the SmartFreight app and other untried and untested IT systems, to the lack of customs agents and clear processes for tackling the mountain of red tape traders will face.

The Government’s pace is simply too slow on this, and that’s why we – the people who run the UK’s supply chain – need an urgent meeting with those at the top of Government dealing with Brexit preparations.