UK Gov't Confirms Widely-Expected Delay To EU Import Border Checks

As was widely expected, the UK gov't has delayed the imposition of post-Brexit checks on EU imports for the fifth time, until January 2024 at the earliest. Adam Payne at Politics Home: "Government confirms it has once again delayed the introduction of border checks on EU imports Health certificates will be brought in from January 31st, [Sanitary and Phytosanitary] controls from April 30th. The UK's "risk-based" approach means impact on food inflation will be "negligible", insists Gov."

• The gov't had come under significant pressure from both the EU and businesses in the UK to announce its plans swiftly. Concerns that the increased bureaucracy at the border and the as-yet-undefined 'Border Target Operating Model' could push up inflationary pressures, notably on grocery bills, have likely spurred the further delay.
• Given that this is the fifth delay to date, the prospect of further delays in 2024 cannot be ruled out.