At the time of writing, we have entered the period of purdah during the general election process. On behalf of CILT members, we have written to the Border Delivery Group stressing the irrefutable need for continued planning against a current scenario that sees the legal default position remain as a no-deal day one outcome on 31st January 2020. 

For CILT, this extension is yet another false dawn for our profession and our country. With the continuing drama in Parliament we still have no resolution on the outcome of Brexit and on the way forward prior to 31st January 2020. 

For members of the profession certainty is key; without this, we are planning for either status quo, no deal or any number of options in between. Scenario planning, that has been ongoing since the referendum in June 2016, continues to consume resources and costs and we are fully aware that for many organisations it is tempting, in this current situation, to once again pull back on the efforts necessary to ensure that organisations continue to operate successfully in the future. 

Indeed, the Scottish Transport and Logistics Intelligence Group (STLIG) are proposing to put meetings of STLIG on pause for now until they see what transpires regarding a possible election and how that affects upon matters in the run up to 31st January 2020.

Recently, CILT has provided free resources to inform the profession on supply chain risk mitigation and customs impacts, with a deadline imposed on us to complete this by 31st October 2019. Despite the current lull, we advise members to keep planning against latest timelines and to ensure your Brexit guidance notes are up to date.

On a positive note, CILT has been assured that internal government work will continue during the purdah period, ready for new or returning Ministers. Through involvement with HMRC on the Joint Customs Consultative Committee, we are also aware that work is continuing at a technical level to resolve outstanding issues relating to customs. 

Our consistent mantra and advice to members’ remains: “hope for the best and plan for the worst”. CILT will continue to advise its members of any developments as these arise and are communicated to us, we will continue to circulate Brexit advice and guidance via the Weekly Bulletin as, and when they are released. 

Kevin Richardson
Chief Executive, CILT(UK)