A crucial part of the UK’s post-Brexit border plan, the Single Trade Window (STW), has been paused for over a year due to government concerns about its cost. Initially set to launch in late October and later postponed to January of the next year, the STW has now been delayed until at least 2026.
The STW was intended to streamline border processes after Brexit by creating a single digital platform where importers and exporters could upload all necessary documentation for goods before transport. Currently, companies must submit documents to multiple agencies, a process criticized as repetitive and time-consuming.
The STW has faced significant challenges, with the National Audit Office (NAO) warning in May that the rollout was encountering “major issues” and calling the government’s timeline “overly optimistic.” The government announced on Wednesday that the scheme would be paused for the rest of the financial year and into the next, with Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray citing “financial challenges” as the reason for suspending the STW until 2025-26. The government plans to reassess the STW’s role and update on its future during the spring spending review.
This pause is one of several delays in the government’s post-Brexit border plans since July. In September, inspections on imported fruits and vegetables were postponed to allow for impact studies. Last month, the government also delayed the introduction of security declarations on all imports, originally scheduled for October 31, by three months.
The STW launch had already been postponed until January but is now on hold until April 2026. The Labour Party has pledged closer trade alignment with the EU, including a veterinary agreement that could end new health checks on meat and dairy imports.
The NAO has raised concerns over the government’s aim to begin the £349m STW’s initial phase by late 2024, highlighting delays and complexity. A 12-month delay could cut projected benefits by £866m over a decade.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), leading the rollout, reported that foundational STW elements were built and tested, and that it would consult with traders and developers to evaluate future uses for the digital tools.
An HMRC spokesperson stated, “Development of the STW for the 2025-26 financial year is paused as part of the spending review, allowing for reflection on how digital solutions might support border priorities and improve trader experience.”
Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, suggested that this pause offers a chance for the government to work with industry to ensure suitable digital solutions.
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