RED TAPE NIGHTMARE

Paying tariffs may be easier, experts warn

- John Siddle

BRITAIN is facing trade chaos despite the Tories’ Brexit deal, experts warn.

Firms are likely to be wrapped up in so much red tape that they will find it easier to pay tariffs.

In days there will be new custom checks on goods traded between us and the EU, in spite of the 11th hour Christmas Eve pact.

Last night, it was feared the scale and complexity of bureaucracy for European markets may create instant trade barriers.

The dire warnings from the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank came as Christmas Day’s 5,000-lorry jam of trucks waiting to cross to France appeared to ease.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said by 9 am yesterday all haulers had left Manston airfield – used to manage disruption in Kent caused by France’s travel and partial trade ban.

He said 15,526 coronavirus tests were carried out on drivers, with 36 positive results which “are being verified”. The 1,600 lorries waiting to cross to France could join a queue on the M20.

Barriers

IPPR’s Marley Morris said: “While maintaining the tariff-free trade we had before Brexit, the deal will not prevent new customs checks and regulatory barriers for business in a few days’ time.

“This could be so hard to do that businesses find it easier to simply pay tariffs.