Bucks MP Sarah Green criticises Government over Brexit red tape

Sarah Green, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesham and Amersham, has accused the Government of creating a ‘slow and inefficient’ export process since Brexit and demanded more is done to help local businesses.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that British exports had dropped by 12% in 2021 compared to 2018.

Ms. Green says that several businesses in her constituency have contacted her to express their frustration at the lengthy and arduous process of obtaining the correct licences for trading overseas.

Raising the issue in the House of Commons on Thursday, Sarah Green said: 

"Trying to export goods is currently a slow and inefficient process. One toy business in Chesham and Amersham told me that they now spend significantly more time on the paperwork than they ever did before.

“And a recent survey of Businesses in Buckinghamshire showed that 58% have experienced a rise in cost due to an increase in the same red tape.

"What proactive, practical steps is the government taking to help businesses of all sizes export their goods to the rest of the world?"

Responding, Secretary of State for International Trade, Ann-Marie Trevelyan, acknowledged multiple targets have been missed and that change is necessary – though crucially, provided no timelines. Ms. Trevelyan stated: 

"In 2020 the ECJU administered nearly 16,000 standard individual export licences, completing 62% within 20 working days against the target set of 70%, and 85% within 60 working days against a target of 99% which is why we have brought in work to modernise and streamline the application process so that it will be more efficient and indeed will allow businesses to know that they can use the system as effectively and as least 'red tape' as possible."

Later, Ms. Green commented: 

"By the Secretary of State's own admission, the government has been missing its targets. This is simply not good enough and is already costing businesses dearly. 

"The additional hours spent wading through paperwork and waiting to hear back from unresponsive government agencies are, for many, an unsustainable burden.

“I hope the government's efforts to streamline the process will result in a tangible improvement for UK exporters and I urge them to implement changes promptly to help struggling businesses get back on track."