it’s shaping up to be another busy year and as always we encourage you to get in contact if you have an issue you would like us to raise. We can’t lobby government and Parliament without hearing from you!
Political update
The government’s announced Plan B will be reviewed before the end of this month (by 26 January). In a move expected to allow employees to return to work more quickly, they also announced that those who test positive on lateral flow devices (but who do not have COVID symptoms) will not have to take a follow-up PCR test, meaning that their isolation period can start from the time of the lateral flow test.
These COVID restriction changes, and the ongoing rising energy prices – or, more accurately, how the government plans to mitigate their impact on the public – are driving the political news at the start of the year.
On the other side of the House, Keir Starmer heads into the weekend isolating with COVID for the second time. SNP MP Margaret Ferrier appeared in court this week to plead not guilty to charges for COVID rule-breach and will face trial in August. The Lib Dems are more buoyant, with their new MP, North Shropshire’s Helen Morgan, being sworn in on Wednesday, taking the Parliamentary party’s headcount up to 13.
Southend West is still awaiting a by-election following the murder of Sir David Amess MP, and that’s now expected to be held next month.
Government news
Full customs controls came into effect on 1 January, which may affect you if you move goods between Great Britain and any EU countries. The changes that are now in force include:
a requirement for full customs import declarations for all goods at the time businesses or their courier/freight forwarder bring them into Great Britain (except if they are non-controlled goods imported from Ireland to Great Britain). From 1 January, you will no longer be able to delay making import customs declarations under the Staged Customs Controls rules that applied during 2021.
customs controls at all ports and other border locations. From 1 January, your goods may be directed to an Inland Border Facility for documentary or physical checks if these checks cannot be done at the border.
requirement for a suppliers’ declaration proving the origin of goods (either UK or EU) if using the zero tariffs agreed in the UK’s trade deal with the EU. Throughout 2021, businesses have been allowed to export goods to the EU using tariff preference and get supplier declarations afterwards, to allow more time. But from 1 January exporters must have supplier declarations (where required) at the time the goods are exported.
changes to commodity codes. There’s a correlation table you can use to check any changes to codes of products.
If you have a specific question about importing, exporting or customs reliefs:
Call HMRC’s Customs and International Trade helpline on 0300 322 9434. The helpline is open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm at weekends. You can also send HMRC your questions or contact them by webchat.
The Export Support Service is a new helpline for UK businesses to get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe. The service is a ‘one-stop shop’ and brings together UK government information, making it easier for exporters to access advice and support. For live webinars coming up, check out this story on our website which links through to the next events. If you can’t make the dates, you might find these recorded webinars from HMRC helpful instead.
ACTIVITY ROUNDUP
Members urge government to support OP sector
BOSS members have been writing to their MPs to request they contact the government to demand support for the OP industry during Plan B restrictions. Plan B includes a reinstatement of the working from home guidance which leads to loss of trade for our sector.
So far, over 27 MPs (and counting) have been contacted!
If you’ve not yet written to your MP, you can find a template letter here, so it’s easy to join us in getting our voice heard!
Latest on Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT)
We’re awaiting the outcome of HMRC’s technical consultation on the Plastic Packaging Tax regulations, to which our partner BPIF contributed last month.
As a result their letter to Jim Harra, Chief Executive of HMRC, BPIF were invited to meet with officials from the tax’s design team in the first week of January. They had a productive discussion, raising issues such as waste, labelling backing and the justification of print as a substantial modification.
If you have any particular questions which aren’t resolved by looking at HMRC’s guidance – let us know.
Latest on Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT)
We’re awaiting the outcome of HMRC’s technical consultation on the Plastic Packaging Tax regulations, to which our partner BPIF contributed last month.
As a result their letter to Jim Harra, Chief Executive of HMRC, BPIF were invited to meet with officials from the tax’s design team in the first week of January. They had a productive discussion, raising issues such as waste, labelling backing and the justification of print as a substantial modification.
If you have any particular questions which aren’t resolved by looking at HMRC’s guidance – let us know.
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