Business Transition Group Meets After Treaty Implementation

The Business Transition Advisory Group met for the first time since the UK-EU Treaty came into provisional effect on 15th July.

The group discussed the first few days of the new border and customs processes and raised practical issues affecting businesses.

A statement from the Government follows below:

The Business Transition Advisory Group met on Friday for the first time since the provisional application of the UK-EU Treaty on 15th July 2026. The Group brings the Government together with Customs and the business community to oversee the transition to the Treaty arrangements, monitoring how implementation is working in practice and resolving operational issues as they arise. The meeting was co-chaired by the Chief Secretary, Glendon Martinez, and Daniel D'Amato, Director - Representation to the European Union, standing in for the Minister for Health, Care and Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, who was unable to attend owing to the ongoing parliamentary session and the passing of legislation. 

Those attending included the Collector of Customs, John Payas, and the Senior Customs Officer, Nigel Lia, alongside representatives of the business community. 

The Group heard an update from Customs on the operation of the new border and customs processes since Treaty implementation and discussed the practical experience of businesses over the first few days. Members raised questions on the ground, which Customs and the Ministry addressed directly, and the Government confirmed that it will continue to work closely with Customs and business representatives to iron out any issues as they arise. 

The Chief Secretary reiterated that the Government will keep monitoring implementation closely in the coming weeks and will continue to provide updates and guidance to businesses as required. 

The Chief Secretary, Glendon Martinez, said: “It was a valuable first opportunity to bring the Group together now that the Treaty has come into effect, and to hear directly from Customs and from businesses about how implementation has gone on the ground over these first few days. I want to thank businesses for their patience and cooperation, and Customs for their work in bringing the new arrangements into operation. The Government will continue to work closely with the business community as we move through this new phase.” 

The Minister for Health, Care and Business, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “Although parliamentary business prevented me from attending in person, I am grateful to the Chief Secretary for chairing the meeting on my behalf, and I have been fully briefed on the discussions with Customs and with businesses about how implementation has gone on the ground over these first few days. I want to thank businesses, and indeed all HM Customs staff, for their patience and cooperation throughout this process. My door remains open, and the Government will continue to engage closely with the business community as we move through this new phase. We will be organising a further meeting of BTAG in the coming weeks to assess the situation.”