Louise Haigh – 2020 Comments on Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

The text of the comments made by Louise Haigh, the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 14 July 2020.

The lack of detail and engagement from senior Ministers on the most significant change to border management in decades is staggering and irresponsible.

The Government’s careless approach risks a ‘perfect storm’ for Northern Ireland with businesses unprepared for major new requirements with their largest trading partner, at a time when they are fighting to stay afloat during the Covid-19 crisis.

The Prime Minister owes it to Northern Ireland businesses so badly let down by his broken promises, to urgently lay out the precise details of the new checks and arrangements that must be implemented in twenty six weeks’ time. This must include help with mitigation to avoid businesses going under as a result of the new costs, and outline if they will make use of measures like a bespoke Trusted Trader Scheme between GB and NI to avoid costly tariffs and checks on business.