What an Irish Sea border would mean for the UK

Tory grandee Michael Heseltine has accused Boris Johnson of lying to the Democratic Unionist Party over the Irish Sea border.

Speaking to Sky News, the former deputy-prime minister said that alienating the Northern Irish party was one “of the many things Boris Johnson has got wrong”.

“He went to their conference and, in black and white, he said there would be no border down the Irish Sea. That was a lie, by any standards. He has now completely reneged on that,” said Heseltine.

So what does Johnson’s deal propose?

The prime minister’s Brexit deal includes an alternative backstop that would create a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK if a main trade deal cannot be reached with the EU before the end of the transition period.

The border - effectively a line in the Irish Sea - would mean that goods entering the island of Ireland are checked for standards and tariffs before their arrival, says The Guardian. This would mean that trade across the actual border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland could continue without disruption.

Hauliers taking goods across the sea would have their cargo inspected by officials to ensure they are complying with EU rules, and would have to fill out customs declarations, the i news site explains.

The Government says these checks could take place at factories and warehouses instead of in ports, in an effort to limit lengthy delays at key infrastructure points.

Experts say most UK exports to Northern Ireland won’t face tariffs, according to fact-checking website Full Fact.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For more political analysis - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues free–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

What is the DUP’s objection?

The party is against any measures that compromise regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

DUP leaders are concerned that Johnson’s alternative to the backstop arrangements will be adopted and then become the new norm.

“These arrangements will become the settled position in these areas for Northern Ireland. This drives a coach and horses through the professed sanctity of the Belfast [Good Friday] agreement,” said the DUP in a statement.

“For all of these reasons it is our view that these arrangements would not be in Northern Ireland’s long-term interests.”

What would it mean for business?

The head of HM Revenue and Customs, Jim Harra, has warned that British and Irish businesses which trade solely within the UK would face considerable extra costs and admin under Johnson’s deal.

On Tuesday, Harra told the Treasury Select Committee that the new arrangements would “feel like a commercial border” in the Irish Sea thanks to customs declarations and tariffs, says The Times.

He said: “We don’t envisage a significant level of physical checks but that is something that could be required to give effect to EU regulatory standards.”

His comments came hours after the Government released an impact assessment of its plans that admitted the PM’s Brexit deal “will result in additional administrative costs to businesses”.

The director general at the British Chambers of Commerce, Adam Marshall, said: “Northern Irish businesses and British businesses that trade with Northern Ireland will understandably have questions about what administrative requirements and costs they will incur if this comes into effect.”