The UK Government also confirmed that import tariffs will not apply to EU goods crossing into Northern Ireland from the Republic, while no new checks or controls on goods moving across the border will be introduced. Goods crossing the Irish border are currently waved through without checks because of Britain's membership of the European Union. Under a no-deal outcome, the UK Government said it will instead ask businesses to self-report the movement of goods, while an online system will be set up to collect VAT payments. Trade minister George Hollingbery said: “Our priority is securing a deal with the EU as this will avoid disruption to our global trading relationships. “However, we must prepare for all eventualities. If we leave without a deal, we will set the majority of our import tariffs to zero, whilst maintaining tariffs for the most sensitive industries. “This balanced approach will help support British jobs and avoid potential price spikes that would hit the … [Read more...] about UK Government unveils no-deal Brexit plan to waive Northern Ireland border checks and slash tariffs
Brexit northern ireland border
EU offers May a ‘unilateral exit’ over Northern Ireland border
The EU has offered London a “unilateral exit” from the UK-wide parts of the backstop plan for Northern Ireland, with the aim of showing Great Britain would not be “forced into a customs union against its will” after Brexit.Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, informed EU ambassadors of a package of proposals offered to Theresa May, which Brussels will publicly announce even though they fall short of the UK’s negotiating demands.The legally binding package of assurances aims to rescue Theresa May’s exit deal ahead of a House of Commons vote on Tuesday. According to diplomats briefed on the terms, it would include a “unilateral exit clause”, allowing Great Britain to break its customs union with the bloc as long as other parts of the backstop still apply to Northern Ireland.Such a Northern Ireland-only backstop has been rejected by Mrs May in the past because it would create a customs border along the Irish Sea, dividing … [Read more...] about EU offers May a ‘unilateral exit’ over Northern Ireland border
Brexit: Northern Ireland Civil Service chief sets out possible no-deal risks
A no-deal Brexit could cause a sharp rise in unemployment in Northern Ireland, the head of the civil service said. Inability to prepare, EU tariffs and significant changes to exports could cause business distress, failure or the relocation of some companies to the Republic, a report from David Sterling said.The UK will leave the EU without a deal later this month unless MPs support the Prime Minister’s deal or Britain secures an extension from the EU.Mr Sterling said: “The consequences of material business failure as a result of a ‘no-deal’ exit, combined with changes to everyday life and potential border frictions could well have a profound and long-lasting impact on society.“The planning assumptions include the possibility that, in some scenarios, a no-deal exit could result in additional challenges for the police if the approach appeared to be unfair or unreasonable for some of those most affected.”Stormont departments have urged the UK Government … [Read more...] about Brexit: Northern Ireland Civil Service chief sets out possible no-deal risks
Northern Ireland border ‘faces Army patrols’ in a No Deal Brexit
Army patrols face returning to the Northern Ireland border in a No Deal Brexit , the Irish Prime Minister has declared. Leo Varadkar today ramped up pressure on Theresa May with a blunt warning that the frontier could "look like 20 years ago". The Good Friday Agreement which largely brought peace to Northern Ireland was signed 21 years ago. And he blasted the UK for "victimising" Ireland adding: "Why are we constantly being asked to help them solve the problem they've created?" Ireland previously tried to stress it would not impose a 'hard' border in any circumstances - even if the UK leaves the EU without agreement on March 29. But EU and Irish chiefs have now dramatically upped the stakes after the 585-page Brexit deal was rejected by MPs and trapped in deadlock. This week an EU spokesman said it was "pretty obvious you would have a hard border" between Northern Ireland and the Republic in no deal. And today the Irish Taoiseach warned: "If things go very wrong it will look like 20 … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland border ‘faces Army patrols’ in a No Deal Brexit
Brace for no-deal Brexit, Northern Ireland firms are warned
Brace for no-deal Brexit, Northern Ireland firms are warned BelfastTelegraph.co.uk Northern Ireland businesses have been warned "brace yourself", as a no-deal Brexit looms large - with just 100 days to go until the UK leaves the European Union. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/brexit/brace-for-nodeal-brexit-northern-ireland-firms-are-warned-37640025.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article37640116.ece/fa9a0/AUTOCROP/h342/AodhanC-_Read-Only_.jpg Email Northern Ireland businesses have been warned "brace yourself", as a no-deal Brexit looms large - with just 100 days to go until the UK leaves the European Union. Confederation of British Industry NI director Angela McGowan warned that the uncertainty over Brexit was "throttling firms and threatening jobs". And the Civil Service here confirmed that it's engaged in planning on a "reasonable worst case scenario" basis. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has agreed to activate all of the Government's no-deal plans while it … [Read more...] about Brace for no-deal Brexit, Northern Ireland firms are warned