The Cabinet Office has published long-awaited
guidance on the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol to the Withdrawal
Agreement, which is due to take effect from 1 January 2021. Ensuring that the protocol is fully operational in order to avoid a hard border on the island of
Ireland at the end of the Brexit transition period is an agreed priority for
the UK and the EU.
Although the UK government promised a ‘pragmatic and practical’
approach to implementing the protocol, minimising divergence and disruption for
businesses and individuals, the protocol introduces provisions specific to
Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to movement of goods.
The new guidance outlines the various processes for the movement
of goods between Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the EU and beyond. In
addition to the guidance, the Cabinet Office has announced £650m in funding,
including up to £200m for a new trader support service, providing free
end-to-end support for traders in Northern Ireland. Further guidance will
follow as work to implement the protocol continues.
The Cabinet Office has published long-awaited
guidance on the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol to the Withdrawal
Agreement, which is due to take effect from 1 January 2021. Ensuring that the protocol is fully operational in order to avoid a hard border on the island of
Ireland at the end of the Brexit transition period is an agreed priority for
the UK and the EU.
Although the UK government promised a ‘pragmatic and practical’
approach to implementing the protocol, minimising divergence and disruption for
businesses and individuals, the protocol introduces provisions specific to
Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to movement of goods.
The new guidance outlines the various processes for the movement
of goods between Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the EU and beyond. In
addition to the guidance, the Cabinet Office has announced £650m in funding,
including up to £200m for a new trader support service, providing free
end-to-end support for traders in Northern Ireland. Further guidance will
follow as work to implement the protocol continues.
