Companies need to step up their preparations for a no-deal Brexit following the change of prime minister, the Freight Transport Association has warned.
It highlighted the fact the Boris Johnson has made it clear that the UK will leave the European Union on 31st October whether there is a deal or not.
Deputy chief executive James Hookham said: “Logistics businesses need to take the prospect of a No Deal Brexit seriously, and speed up any preparations which can be made. While there are still areas of uncertainty for those tasked with moving goods and services between the UK and Europe, most of the requirements that will kick in in the event of No Deal have now been published and are freely available.
All temporary easements and contingency measures to keep trading links open will expire shortly after 31st October and the FTA wants the government to prioritise extending or re-establishing the necessary measures to ensure that trade can continue to flow freely to and from British industry.
The association has written to Michael Gove, who is responsible for co-ordinating No Deal preparations, to urge rapid completion of the outstanding procedures and extension of the concessions.
* Motor manufacturers have told Boris Johnson that a no-deal Brexit presents “an existential threat” to the industry.
In a letter to the new prime minister, Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “A no-deal Brexit presents an existential threat to our industry. We are highly integrated with Europe, and a no-deal Brexit would result in huge tariff costs and disruption that would threaten production, as well as further undermining international investors’ confidence in the UK. We need a deal with the EU that secures frictionless and tariff free trade. No-deal Brexit is simply not an option.”
Hawes pointed out that the motor industry contributes “£18.6 billion to the UK, employs hundreds of thousands and makes the most significant contribution to UK trade of any manufacturing sector, helping balance the economy right across the country. In short when automotive succeeds, so does the UK.”
