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Ministers at war with HMRC bosses over claims post-Brexit customs system will take five years

Senior officials have warned the government that it could be half a decade before the changes necessary to check and tax imports to Britain are implemented

HMRC bosses have been slapped down by ministers for warning it may take five years to set up a post-Brexit customs system.

Senior officials have privately warned the government that it might be half a decade before all the changes necessary to check and tax imports to Britain are implemented, The Sun can reveal.

 HMRC bosses have warned it may take five years to set up a post-Brexit customs system
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HMRC bosses have warned it may take five years to set up a post-Brexit customs systemCredit: Kevin Foy

The tension between ministers and the senior civil servants emerged tonight as David Davis will tomorrow reveal the first details of preparations being made for a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

As well as the introduction of a new computer system – the Customs Declaration Services programme – 5,000 new Border Force staff must be hired and trained.

And an array of new check points and lorry parks will need to be built, the HMRC has also insisted.

Customs declarations will increase fivefold when the UK leaves the EU under a hard Brexit scenario, from 50 million a year to 250 million.

 It comes as Brexit Minister David Davis plans to reveal the first details of preparations being made for a ‘no deal’
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It comes as Brexit Minister David Davis plans to reveal the first details of preparations being made for a ‘no deal’Credit: Rex Features

At a Commons committee hearing last week, HMRC’s boss Jon Thompson also refused to give a guarantee that everything would be ready by March 30, 2019.

But ministers have rejected the claim as pessimistic and “feet dragging”.

A senior government source told The Sun: “The main thing HMRC need is CDS, which will be in place from October 2018.

“It’s possible there may be longer term ‘nice to have’ things that could take around that time scale, but they are not business critical to a successful Brexit.”

 HMRC’s boss Jon Thompson last week refused to give a guarantee that everything would be ready by March 30, 2019
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HMRC’s boss Jon Thompson last week refused to give a guarantee that everything would be ready by March 30, 2019Credit: PA:Press Association

The Sun has also learned that HMRC officials have also recently briefed ministers on the nightmare scenario of tail backs from ports  dozens of miles long if border check points get clogged up for even a few minutes.

It also emerged yesterday that customs posts on EU coastlines will not be fully staffed for a year after Brexit, as countries such as France and Belgium also drag their feet with preparations.

Meanwhile, the Brexit Secretary will tell the Cabinet today that extensive plans are now being drawn up to soften any blow from the UK’s exit across 58 different sectors of the economy.

 It also emerged that customs posts on EU coastlines will not be fully staffed for a year after Brexit
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It also emerged that customs posts on EU coastlines will not be fully staffed for a year after BrexitCredit: AP:Associated Press

The move is a bid to up the stakes in stalled negotiations with Brussels to prove Britain will be able to walk away instead of accepting a bad deal.

Covering a total of 88% of the UK’s earnings, the sectors range from Advertising to Aerospace and Telecommunications and Textiles.

 Ministers have accused HMRC bosses of being pessimistic and 'feet dragging'
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Ministers have accused HMRC bosses of being pessimistic and 'feet dragging'Credit: Getty - Contributor

A Government spokesman said last night: “The Department for Exiting the European Union, working with officials across government, continues to undertake a wide range of analysis to support progress in the negotiations and ensure we ready for Brexit whatever the outcome.

“This list details the 58 sectors that are used in the analysis and covers the breadth of the UK economy.”

The HMRC added: “The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is on track for delivery by January 2019 and will support international trade once the UK leaves the European Union”.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson appears to have his eyes closed while PM Theresa May speaks on Brexit
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