Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Border Target Operating Model: Food Prices

Thursday 7 September 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government published the final border target operating model on 29 August 2023, to be introduced on 31 January 2024.
  • Government measures to reduce cost of living include significant help with fuel costs.
  • MPs expressed concerns over the impact of the border model on food prices and inflation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Immigration Economy Business & Trade
Context

The Government announced a border target operating model with potential impacts on food prices. Small businesses have prepared for these changes but the implementation has been delayed multiple times.

Question

What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the border target operating model on the price of (a) meat, (b) fresh produce and (c) other foodstuffs. Small businesses up and down the country have spent countless hours and millions of pounds preparing for these changes, only to find that the Government are delaying implementation for the fifth time. How does the Minister expect businesses to have any confidence in making long-term investment and supply chain decisions when this Government have such a long list of U-turns and policy blunders?

Answer from Alex Burghart

In April, the Government published a draft British border target operating model and on 29 August we published our final border target operating model, confirming its introduction on 31 January next year. It outlines our new controls regime, using better technology and co-ordination to reduce friction and costs, and will provide a simpler, yet secure, experience for traders moving goods across the border. The hon. Lady is right that we have pushed the date back several times, first because of covid, secondly because of Ukraine and thirdly to ease the pressure of the cost of living crisis. We are now working in line with business readiness, having had regular engagement with people across the sector. We have now set out, as she will have seen from the statement I made to this House in writing on 4 September and the written document published on 29 August, that we have a final time schedule.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assessment of impact on food prices or address business confidence directly.

How: We Are Working In Line With Business Readiness

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Q2 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Office for National Statistics reported that over half of the population is paying more for their groceries.

Question

The Office for National Statistics has found that more than 50% of people are paying more for their food shop. What is the Government's plan to bring down inflation quickly to ensure that people can feed their families?

Answer from Alex Burghart

I was trying to glimpse the British border target operating model within that question. The Government have taken a range of measures in order to help bring down the cost of living for people, notably the very considerable help we have given people with the cost of fuel.

Not addressed: Did not address food costs or inflation reduction plans specifically.

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Q3 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Immigration Economy Taxation
Context

The Government's border target operating model is expected to have an impact on inflation.

Question

Members will be aware that the Government attempted to sneak out in the summer that announcement about the utter chaos they have created over the border target operating model. I say to the Minister that inflation is of central relevance to this matter, because the cat is out of the bag. The Government's own document concedes that these measures, when introduced, will have an impact on inflation and will make the cost of food even higher. Can the Minister set out what assessment has been made of the wasted money and the cost to taxpayers and businesses as a result of the Government's chaos on this issue?

Answer from Alex Burghart

I welcome the right hon. Gentleman to his spot and I look forward to debating with him on this and other issues. I do not quite accept his categorisation of us as sneaking out a document by publishing it and sharing it widely on social media. As I explained to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Sarah Olney), we have delayed implementation in response to the challenges the country has faced. We are now ready to move forward with a brand-new border target operating model, which has the support of businesses, of vets and of those dealing with sanitary and phytosanitary checks. It will be a very good thing for the country and will help us to secure our borders in new ways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address financial costs or assessment related to delays and their impacts on inflation.

How: We Are Now Ready To Move Forward With A Brand-New Border Target Operating Model

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Q4 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The January 2024 deadline for rules-of-origin provisions is approaching, with potential negative impacts on the car industry.

Question

Well, that was announced when the House was not sitting, and to describe something that the Government concede will increase prices as a “good thing” is quite extraordinary and shows how out of touch they are. Let me turn to another area of the Government's incompetence. The January 2024 deadline for the rules-of-origin provisions is now rapidly approaching. Unless this matter is dealt with, it will devastate our car industry. It should have been anticipated by the Government. Can the Minister tell us when an agreement for an extension to that deadline can be secured, and what contingency plans are in place if the Government fail to do that?

Answer from Alex Burghart

On the right hon. Gentleman's first point, the document was published when it was ready; it was not hastily snuck out during recess. On his point about readiness for the trade window in the car industry, that matter is being taken seriously by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, who I am sure will be ready to say something shortly.

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or contingency plans.

How: That Matter Is Being Taken Seriously

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Q5 Nick Thomas-Symonds Lab Torfaen
Immigration Economy
Context

The Government's border target operating model has faced multiple delays.

Question

Members will be aware that the Government attempted to sneak out in the summer that announcement about the utter chaos they have created over the border target operating model. I say to the Minister that inflation is of central relevance to this matter, because the cat is out of the bag. The Government's own document concedes that these measures, when introduced, will have an impact on inflation and will make the cost of food even higher. Can the Minister set out what assessment has been made of the wasted money and the cost to taxpayers and businesses as a result of the Government's chaos on this issue?

Answer from Alex Burghart

I welcome the right hon. Gentleman to his spot and I look forward to debating with him on this and other issues. I do not quite accept his categorisation of us as sneaking out a document by publishing it and sharing it widely on social media. As I explained to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Sarah Olney), we have delayed implementation in response to the challenges the country has faced. We are now ready to move forward with a brand-new border target operating model, which has the support of businesses, of vets and of those dealing with sanitary and phytosanitary checks. It will be a very good thing for the country and will help us to secure our borders in new ways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address financial costs or assessment related to delays and their impacts on inflation.

How: We Are Now Ready To Move Forward With A Brand-New Border Target Operating Model

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