A "do not agree" Brexit would mean a costly border disruption – the UK's spending oversight body

LONDON (Reuters) – Businesses will suffer and criminals could benefit from the inevitable disruption of borders if Britain leaves the European Union without agreement, announced Wednesday the policeman of public spending in the country.

Just five months away from Brexit, Prime Minister Theresa May has not yet reached an agreement with Brussels and both parties have intensified their preparations for the eventuality of her absence.

In its report entitled "The British Border: Preparing for Exit from the European Union", the National Audit Office (NAO) stated that there was not enough time left to set up border operations fully. effective for a Brexit without an agreement by March 29 and that companies would pay the price. price.

"The government openly agreed that the border would be suboptimal if it did not agree," said NAO President Amyas Morse.

"We do not know what suboptimal means in practice or how long it will last. But what is clear is that businesses and individuals who depend on the smooth operation of the border will pay the price. "

The NAO said companies did not have enough time to make the necessary changes if the UK left without an agreement.

"Major ports and suppliers need reasonable certainty before investing heavily in infrastructure, human resources, systems or processes," the report says.

The NAO also highlighted a security risk.

"Organized criminals and others are at risk of quickly exploiting perceived weaknesses or gaps in the law enforcement regime," says the report.

"This, combined with the potential loss of UK access to the EU's security, law enforcement and criminal justice tools, could create security weaknesses that the government should resolve urgently. "

The Brexit talks are blocked following a disagreement over so-called Northern Ireland support, an insurance policy designed to ensure that there will be no return to a Hard border on the island of Ireland if a future business relationship is not agreed in time.

The NAO said that planning for border operations in the event of an agreement was less developed than that of a null agreement because of the uncertainty surrounding future relations between the UK and the US. European Union.

"The introduction of new border arrangements as part of an agreement could still involve considerable work before and after the end of the implementation period in December 2020," he said. declared.