It's official - there WILL be additional checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain when Brexit transition ends

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove MP, provided a statement in the House of Commons as the government published 'The UK’s Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol'.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government have repeatedly said there would be no checks on goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain after the Brexit transition period.

However, page seven of the document clearly states: "there will be some new administrative requirements, these processes will be streamlined and simplified to the maximum extent".

Mr. Gove told the House of Commons that whilst some additional checks will be needed the British government did not think it necessary to introduce any new border infrastructure.

“Subjecting traders to unnecessary and disproportionate burdens, particularly as we wrestle with the economic consequences of Covid-19, would not serve the interests of the people of Northern Ireland for whom the protocol was designed.

“It’s important for us all to recall that the clear majority of Northern Ireland’s trade is with the rest of the UK, so safeguarding the free flow of goods within the UK’s internal market is of critical importance to Northern Ireland’s economy and people."

Questioned by former prime minister, Theresa May, Mr. Gove also admitted that unlike businesses in England, Scotland and Wales, some traders in Northern Ireland would be subjected to European Union regulations until 2024.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Rachel Reeves said that “many fear” the government is not willing to admit the full extent of additional checks and tariffs on goods.

She told the Commons: “We welcome the statement today but it does expose the broken promises made by the Prime Minister. Today there has been an admission, for the first time, that there will be additional checks, that there will be tariffs on goods at risk of entering the single market.

“Even now, many fear that the Government are not willing to admit the full extent of those. We have seven months to get this right and we must.”

Mr Gove responded: “The approach that we’ve taken is designed to ensure the maximum level of security for the businesses of Northern Ireland and if the protocol is implemented in line with our approach that means they will have unfettered access to the rest of the UK’s internal market and also free access to the EU’s single market.

“That is a great prize and one that I believe all businesses in Northern Ireland would want us to help them to grasp.”