The British International Freight Association (BIFA) says the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) hit the nail on the head with its warning that neither the UK nor the EU is ready for a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
The CBI gave its view after released a report on 28 July which is based on thousands of conversations with firms of all sizes and sectors, spanning all areas of the UK economy. Overall, it illustrates that even with mitigation, 24 of 27 areas of the UK economy would experience disruption.
The warnings come as new UK PM Boris Johnson, who took over last week, signalled his intent to leave the EU with or without a deal, putting the country on red alert for a no deal.
BIFA represents the UK’s freight forwarding and logistics sector and director general Robert Keen explains its members cannot prepare for a no-deal Brexit, given the ongoing uncertainty over many issues that affect how they conduct trade.
“Earlier this month the news that very few companies have registered for a new government online system designed to protect value added tax revenues on foreign parcels in the event of a no-deal Brexit led BIFA to question whether government is actually listening to advice from industry experts,” Keen says.
He adds: “With less than 100 days to the Brexit deadline, departments in that new government must urgently step up their preparations, engage with and listen to trade associations such as BIFA, immediately step up their preparations and deliver clear advice on how trade will be conducted after October 31st, deal or no deal.
“Talk is all well and good; but what we now need is clear information and instructions.”
