The government has put forward what it calls “serious and reasonable” proposals to the EU and is waiting for an EU compromise on these. In the event that the UK leaves without a deal, however, a Brexit readiness report, published today, sets out the details of completed work, as Michael Gove says it is “time for the UK to look forward to the future with certainty and confidence”.

“It is the top priority of this government, and principal focus of my job, to get ready for Brexit on 31st October with or without a deal,” Gove said. “We would prefer to leave with a deal, and continue to work in an energetic and determined way to achieve one, but we must be prepared for all eventualities.”

The report also sets out the preparation underway to ensure that goods continue to flow smoothly across the UK and EU border after Brexit, with measures in place and information given to traders, businesses and hauliers on what they need to do to prepare before 31st October.

These include the automatic allocation of Economic Operator Registration Indicator (EORI) numbers to 88,000 VAT-registered companies across the UK that frequently trade with the EU; postponed VAT accounting for both EU and non-EU imports, enabling VAT-registered businesses to wait until their next VAT return to declare and recover import VAT on goods; a Temporary Tariff Regime (TTR) for all imports, including from the EU, supporting business supply chains for up to 12 months; and HMRC sending 220,000 businesses guidance on the steps they need to take to import and export after 31st October.

Gove also announced that a dedicated support unit for suppliers of medical goods in the health sector has been set up to ensure that companies have the necessary customs paperwork in place for border arrangements in the event of a no-deal scenario.


A series of events, handbooks and guides have been published to help businesses prepare for Brexit.

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