Brexit: Industry appeals to government to ‘double down’ on efforts to get a trade deal before New Year deadline

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Industry wants to make the new arrangements work and has been heeding government warnings to get ready, but ministers must explain exactly what the changes will be and provide the support that farmers and businesses need.” Ministers are resigned to disruption at ports handling roll-on/roll-off and passenger traffic across the English Channel and Irish Sea after the transition to Brexit ends at 11pm on 31 December, though Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told MPs today that he was hopeful of problems being resolved “relatively early in the New Year”. Disruption at some points is almost inevitable in January regardless.” With no clarity on what to expect on 1 January, ports are preparing for every eventuality, he said, adding: “I don’t think many of them will be taking too much time off over Christmas and New Year.” Logistics UK, which represents the UK freight industry, said that vital new IT systems are being delivered by government too close to the switchover for companies to learn how to operate them. You might be prepared for it but you’re still not going to enjoy it.” Mark Simmonds, British Ports Association General manager for public policy Alex Veitch urged government to keep trying for a last-minute deal to keep the scale of change to a minimum, warning that mini-deals on aviation and transport offered by the EU in the case of no-deal will not prevent shocks to the supply chain. “Both sides must double down and do what is necessary to agree a zero-tariff agreement, otherwise consumers are likely to see higher prices for many essentials in 2021.” Responding to the call for a grace period, a government spokesperson said: “As we have seen this year, the UK has a large, diverse and highly resilient food supply chain which has coped well in responding to unprecedented challenges.