On Tuesday 13 December, the UK Cabinet Office Borders Group hosted a call to update stakeholders on the Border Target Operating Model publication timetable.
The call was chaired by Director Tom Smith and Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, who is the new Minister responsible for Borders.
They acknowledged that in April 2022, the UK Government postponed the introduction of import controls from the EU from July 2022 and announced that it would develop a new Border Target Operating Model with a target date for introduction at the end of 2023. On the call they communicated that they expect to be able to announce details of the Border Target Operating model in early in 2023 including dates for its implementation.
The Minister also updated stakeholders on the development relating to legislation known as the Transitional Staging Period (TSP) which was due to expire on 31 December 2022. The Minister explained the TSP would now be extended further to 31 January 2024 with the Government proceeding with the relevant legislative process to ensure this takes effect, with England, Wales and Scotland all laying their very own, similar Statutory Instruments with the same date.
This update confirms previous communications that there will be further changes to Border requirements in the UK, with further details emerging in early 2023. As soon as these details emerge guidance on requirements and preparations will be shared.