NI BREXIT TRADE THREAD So HMG has announced a huge package for NI biz. £355m to support biz so what is it? A) A new free-to-use Trader Support Service backed by funding of £200m will complete digital processes on behalf of businesses importing goods into Northern Ireland 1/7

This is a free service, for any Northern Ireland business wishing to bring in goods from Great Britain or the rest of the world.
NI businesses can sign up for further information about the scheme from today before it becomes operational in September 2/7

B) UKG will be providing £155m to develop IT systems that will underpin the processes that TSS will administer on behalf of traders, to ensure that movements are as streamlined as possible. Traders will be able to register with the service and receive support and guidance 3/7

So is this good? Well yes with some big buts. Yes it's great investment of money & resources to remove frictions from GB/NI Removing the cost of customs transactions will have a positive impact on protecting the choice and affordability that NI households need. But...... 4/7

1. This is finite. What happens when the money runs out?
2. It doesn't deal with SPS & EHCs at £200 per time with hundreds of POAO on a consolidated load. That is a deal breaker for some retailers as it means the new costs are higher than the already small profit margins 5/7

3. This is A LOT to deliver in 6 months!
4. This is for business, it doesn't deal with consumers buying goods directly from GB
5. It doesn't deal with import VAT
6. It doesn't cover marketing standards including organics, free range etc

But let's finish on a positive..... 6/7

It DOES mention a supermarket solution built on the principle of dead end host i.e. it doesn't go anywhere other than NI. If we get that agreed with the EU and it includes SPS/EHCs then it will go a long way to keep choice & affordability for NI Families...but if not.... ENDS