Report reveals 'substantial barriers' for trade since Brexit

Lorries pass the Brexit-inspired mural by artist Banksy in Dover. Photo: PA Wire/PA Images.

There remain “substantial barriers” for UK trade with Europe, with small businesses bearing the brunt of the post-Brexit strain, according to peers.

A report by the House of Lords’ EU Goods Sub-Committee has warned small firms are “feeling the squeeze” since the Brexit deal with Brussels came into force in January.

The committee is calling on ministers to establish a trusted trader scheme to ease the amount of paperwork that businesses have to fill out while also tackling the increased cost of transporting goods and helping firms to understand the VAT changes when exporting to the European Union.

In the Beyond Brexit: Trade in Goods report, peers said there “remain substantial barriers to trade with the EU” following the implementation of the fresh trading terms.

It also cautioned that, without action, the physical checks currently in place on animal and plant products could become a “permanent barrier to trade”, with meat and live shellfish products particularly badly-hit by the new inspection regime.

Baroness Verma, the committee’s chairwoman, said: “The Brexit trade deal struck with the EU may have prevented the nightmare of a ‘no deal’ exit for the UK, but a lot of unfinished business remains between the two sides.

“Businesses, particularly SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), are feeling the squeeze of the non-tariff barriers resulting from the end of the transition period.

“The government must take an ambitious approach to trade ties with the EU.

“Swift action and further funding is needed to minimise future disruption.

“Ongoing dialogue will be crucial to achieving smoother trade. The TCA (Trade and Cooperation Agreement) should be treated as the start, not the end of the UK’s new relationship with the EU.”

The report made a series of recommendations for simplifying the requirements on exporters.

“On customs, we recommend a trusted trader scheme to enable more businesses – especially smaller businesses – to benefit from simplified customs procedures,” the 77-page report said.

The “complicated and varied VAT rules in different EU jurisdictions” were described as “among the most problematic non-tariff barriers to trade”, with the committee calling for “advice and support to increase understanding among traders of new VAT implications” following the government’s decision to postpone its own accounting scheme.

On rules of origin stipulations in the deal, the peers said: “Only goods originating – or mostly originating – in the UK or EU will qualify for zero tariffs.

“The requirements will hit smaller businesses hardest but clarifications and mitigations, particularly on the re-export of non-processed goods, are urgently needed for all.”

Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “At a moment when small firms are up against it like never before, those that trade internationally – often our most innovative and profitable businesses – are being hit with reams and reams of new paperwork.

“They simply don’t have the time or money to manage it.

“Unless we ease the admin burden being placed on our small importers and exporters it’s going to weigh heavy on our efforts to get the economy firing on all cylinders again.”