A little over a year after the UK's effective exit from the European single market and customs union, the Public Accounts Committee, responsible for monitoring public spending, drew up a less than rosy picture of Brexit on Wednesday, February 9 touted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The publication of its report comes just hours after the appointment of a secretary of state responsible for "Brexit opportunities and government efficiency", in the person of Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg.

While it is difficult to determine precisely the share of the exit from the European Union (EU) compared to other factors, first and foremost the Covid-19 pandemic, it is "clear" that Brexit had "a impact" on the decline in trade, according to the report.

"One of the big promises of Brexit was to free up UK businesses to give them more space to maximize their productivity and contribution to the economy - the need for which is all the more urgent now on the long road. recovery from the pandemic," said commission chair Meg Hillier.

But "for now, the only detectable impact are higher costs, red tape and delays at the border," says the Labor MP (opposition).

"Overpromises"

In its report, the commission warns against an increase in difficulties at the border with both the complete return to normal which is announced this year, and the complete implementation of controls.

"It's time for the government to be honest about the issues rather than overpromise," Meg Hillier added.

The report's authors point to the government's pledge to create "the most efficient border in the world" by 2025 as an "ambition worth noting", but consider it "optimistic", given the current situation.

“And we are not convinced that it is supported by a detailed plan to achieve this,” they note.

MEPs also underline the risk of fraud induced by the postponement of the implementation of the permanent system of import controls.

Until 2023, goods arriving by truck at the port of Dover are only actually checked about a hundred kilometers away, thus leaving open the possibility that goods may be unloaded before these checks.

With AFP

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