The UK 'sleepwalking into disaster' with Brexit border plans

After Boris Johnson announced that the UK was "ready for any eventuality" after the Brexit transition period and the government had given itself powers to build temporary lorry parks in England without approval, the news has not been met positively by hauliers.

Groups representing truckers have written to ministers warning of "severe" disruption to supply chains. Rod McKenzie, from the Road Haulage Association, said the government should "act now before it's too late".

Speaking to BBC News, Mr McKenzie said: "It is a real case of the government sleepwalking to a disaster with the border preparations that we have, whether it is a deal or no-deal Brexit at the end of December. The supply chain on which we are all dependent to get the things we need could be disrupted and there is a lack of government focus and action on this."

He added: "When we are trying to emerge from the crisis of Covid, if we then plunge straight into a Brexit-related crisis, that will be a really difficult moment and we need real pace. The difference here is between a disaster area and a disaster area with rocket boosters on."

Speaking to reporters last Friday, the Prime Minister said: "We must make sure that people understand at the end of the year, whatever happens, we're leaving the EU, leaving the transition period. That's why it is vital that people who have questions about what they need to do get onto our government websites … look at what they need to do to prepare, and certainly, we will help them.

"But we will get through this."