Customs chiefs dump plans to security check EU lorries after No Deal Brexit over travel chaos fears
HMRC will declare a six- month “standstill” as Border Force is nowhere near ready to cope with the admin
CUSTOMS chiefs are dumping plans for No Deal safety and security checks on hauliers coming to Britain from the EU amid fears of travel chaos.
HMRC will this week declare a six month “standstill” in an admission that Border Force is nowhere near ready to cope with the extra administration.
They have already waived the need for goods declarations at U.K. ports because of fears of massive jams.
The Sun last week revealed the Home Office wanted hauliers to fill out 38-point safety and security forms in the event of No Deal. Truckers would be fined £1,000 if they failed to comply.
Currently the paperwork has to be completed by anyone bringing goods in from outside the EU.
A source claimed: “HMRC has written to both the Home Office and the Treasury to say it has to allow a ‘phasing in’ period. They’re worried that any extra red tape could disrupt the flow of goods into the country.”
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Home Office insiders are desperate to insist they won’t be putting Britain at risk and have other intelligence to protect the border.
But the move will enrage MPs and campaigners who claim HMRC has taken far too long to prepare Britain for A No Deal.
HMRC chief John Thompson last year warned it could take two more years to have a fully functioning IT system in place to cope with the extra number of checks required for a No Deal Brexit.
He said officials would face a trade off between collecting revenue; minimising disruption at the border or security.
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