Politics

UK not ready for Brexit

Published

4 years ago

November 12, 2020

A REPORT published last week by the UK’s National Audit Office (NAO) says that although government departments have made progress in recent months implementing the changes required to systems, infrastructure and resources to manage the border at the end of the post-EU Exit transition period, it is still likely that widespread disruption will occur from January 1, 2021.

In its fourth report assessing government’s preparations at the border, the NAO highlights that planning for 1 January 2021 has built on work done for previous EU Exit deadline.

The report says COVID-19 has exacerbated delays in government’s preparations and significant risks remain, particularly in relation to implementing the Northern Ireland Protocol and trader readiness more generally.

Departments have made progress towards implementing the systems, infrastructure and resources required to operate the border in relation to Great Britain at “minimum operating capability” by January 1 and are reasonably confident most will be ready, but timetables are tight.

The ability for traders to move goods under transit arrangements is a key element of the government’s plans but some elements will be challenging to deliver in their entirety.

HMRC currently estimates that there will be around 6.3 million movements of goods under transit arrangements in the year following the end of the transition period. If all the planned arrangements are not ready, this could have an impact on the ease with which traders can import and export goods.

There is little time for ports and other third parties to integrate their systems and processes with new or changed government systems, and contingency plans may need to be invoked for some elements.

In part as a result of the delays caused by COVID-19, there is limited time to test individual elements and resolve any emerging issues; ensure elements operate together; familiarise users with them in advance and little or no contingency time in the event of any delays.

Even if the Westminster government makes further progress with its preparations, there is still likely to be significant disruption at the border from January 1, as traders will be unprepared for new EU border controls which will require additional administration and checks.

The government’s latest reasonable worst-case planning assumptions, from September 2020, are that 40% to 70% per cent of hauliers will not be ready for these new controls and up to 7,000 lorries may need to queue at the approach to the short Channel crossings,6 such as Dover to Calais.

The government’s plan for reducing the risk of disruption at the approach to the short Channel crossings is still developing, with various issues yet to be resolved. It intends to launch a new GOV.UK web service called ‘Check an HGV is ready to cross the border’ for hauliers to check and self-declare that they have the correct documentation for EU import controls before travelling and obtain permits to drive on prescribed roads in Kent.

However, there is more to do on how ‘Check an HGV’ will be enforced and how it will work together with traffic management plans for Kent.

Government is preparing civil contingency plans, such as to ensure continuity of the supply of critical goods and medicines in the event of any disruption to supply chains.

On October 13, the Department for Transport announced it had awarded contracts to provide additional freight capacity for over 3,000 lorries a week on routes avoiding the short Channel crossings.

However, COVID-19 is making civil contingency plans more difficult to enact, with local authorities, industry and supply chains already under additional strain.
The UK Government will also need to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol from January 1. However, due to the scale and complexity of the changes, the lack of time and the impact of ongoing negotiations, there is a very high risk it may not be implemented in time.

The government has left itself little time to mobilise its new Trader Support Service (TSS), in which it has announced it is investing £200 million, to reduce the burden on traders moving goods to Northern Ireland and to help them prepare.

It will be challenging to establish the TSS by 1 January 2021. Work needs to be done to identify NI traders and sign them up to use the service; recruit and train the staff required; develop software to enable traders to connect to HMRC’s systems; and deliver educational activities to traders.

There is also ongoing uncertainty about the requirements for the movement of goods under the Protocol. Therefore, there is still a high risk that traders will not be ready.
The government is spending significant sums of money preparing the border for the end of the transition period and, in 2020 alone, announced funding of £1.41 billion to fund new infrastructure and systems, and wider support and investment.

Despite this, there remains significant uncertainty about whether preparations will be complete in time, and the impact if they are not. Some of this uncertainty could have been avoided, and better preparations made, had the government addressed sooner issues such as the need for an increase in the number of customs agents to support traders.
The NAO says that government must continue to focus its efforts on resolving the many outstanding issues relating to the border and develop robust contingency plans if these cannot be addressed in time for the end of the transition period.

Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: “The January 1 deadline is unlike any previous EU Exit deadline: significant changes at the border will take place and government must be ready.

“Disruption is likely and the government will need to respond quickly to minimise the impact, a situation made all the more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

News

Ombudsman finds ex-councillor made racist slave remark

Published

16 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A FORMER Pembrokeshire councillor was found to have made racist comments in a recorded audio message, according to an investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

Andrew Edwards, who represented the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward on Pembrokeshire County Council, was identified in a 16-second audio clip in which a man is heard saying white men “should have a black man as a slave or black woman as a slave”. The recording also included a statement that black people were “lower class than us white people”.

Mr Edwards, a former Conservative Party member, stepped down from the council in December 2024 following the allegations. He referred himself to the ombudsman but denied making the comments, claiming the recording was a “deep fake” created using artificial intelligence to manipulate his voice.

However, Public Services Ombudsman Michelle Morris concluded that “on balance”, the voice in the recording was his and that the comments were “considered racist”. The investigation found that the audio message had been sent as a voice note via WhatsApp to his partner.

The ombudsman’s report also revealed that Mr Edwards had shared council business information with his partner through WhatsApp messages, which included disrespectful remarks about members of the public. He admitted to sending the messages, stating that he had been “venting” due to personal pressures at the time.

Ms Morris determined that his actions “could reasonably be considered as disreputable and were capable of seriously undermining public confidence in the council and the office of member”.

The case has been referred to the Adjudication Panel for Wales, which will determine whether Mr Edwards breached the local authority’s code of conduct and if further action should be taken.

News

Salvation Army urges closer collaboration to tackle homelessness in Wales

Published

16 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE SALVATION ARMY has called for greater cooperation between charities and agencies to combat homelessness in Wales, presenting expert evidence to Members of the Senedd.

The Local Government and Housing Committee met to hear from charities working in the sector. The Salvation Army provided testimony based on its experience supporting vulnerable people through homelessness prevention, outreach, and housing services across the country.

Emma Shaw, the Salvation Army’s Assistant Director of Strategic Operations and Development in Wales, stressed the need for better data sharing between the NHS, Criminal Justice System, local authorities, and charities. She said: “Information needs to be shared when we talk about health, the prison system, and those groups involved with hospital discharges and prison releases. We should be working closer together so that we’re not just responding to crises but looking ahead.”

She also highlighted the need for a stronger community focus to support those at risk of homelessness. “Otherwise, the pressures on families being made homeless will increase. The third sector and faith groups have stepped into the gaps for many years, but money and budgets are being stretched,” she added.

The Salvation Army also called for the Homelessness Prevention Grant to be ringfenced, stressing that prevention funding is crucial in reducing homelessness. Shaw pointed to mounting financial pressures on the sector, including rising Employer’s National Insurance contributions and the cost-of-living crisis, while acknowledging the vital role of frontline staff.

Homelessness in Wales has reached record levels, with Welsh Government figures showing 13,000 households categorised as homeless—an eight per cent increase.

News

Milford Haven Town Council to hold Full Council Meeting on March 24

Published

16 hours ago

March 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has announced that it will hold its next Full Council Meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 7:00pm. The meeting will take place at Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets Unit, Unit A, Havens Head Business Park, SA73 3LD. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or remotely, with virtual access available upon request.

Key Issues on the agenda

The meeting’s agenda includes several important topics affecting the local community. One of the most anticipated segments is the Question and Answer Session with Members of the Public, scheduled as Agenda Item 3, allowing residents to raise concerns and seek clarification on council matters. Those wishing to submit questions in advance are encouraged to do so by contacting [email protected].

Additionally, the agenda will cover:

News updates from the Mayor, Councillor W. Elliott
The Mayor’s recent engagements and community activities
Reports from councillors on their representation on outside bodies
A review of Milford Haven Town Council’s Draft Grants Policy
Discussion of the Milford Haven Town Council Risk Assessment

A report from the Public Events Sub-Committee, held on February 24, 2025, is also expected to be discussed, with recommendations and resolutions to be reviewed by the Full Council.

Public participation encouraged

The Town Council is keen to ensure public engagement and transparency in decision-making. Residents who wish to attend the meeting virtually are advised to request access via email. The council encourages public participation, particularly during the Q&A session, where councillors will directly address community concerns.

This meeting follows the previous Full Council Meeting held on March 10, 2025, where the council discussed key policies and community initiatives. Minutes from that session will be reviewed during the upcoming meeting.