BMF response to Home Select Committee warning on post-Brexit customs operations

Responding to today’s warning from the Home Select Committee that post-Brexit customs operations may lead to “border chaos”, John Newcomb, Chief Executive of the BMF said:  

“We welcome the Home Affairs Committee highlighting the very severe concerns business has about the ability of our customs operations to deliver in a post-Brexit environment.   “We agree that a failure to sort out a post-Brexit customs arrangement could led to lengthy and costly jams at all ports across the UK. This would be incredibly damaging to the building materials supply chain, and important construction projects.  

“Builders merchants are already facing significant material price rises due to currency fluctuations and, from our engagement with government so far, we have concerns that proper consideration is not being given to other obstacles that may hamper trade.  

“For essential building material supplies, such as timber, a failure from the Government to deliver a viable customs system could mean very severe delays, extra costs, administrative burdens and shortages that threaten the building of new homes that we so desperately needed”.