Michael Gove said the Government had done “quite a lot” to help businesses prepare for the changes the end of the Brexit transition deal would bring. But with UK companies lamenting the ongoing lack of clarity on the type of relationship the UK will have with the European Union, Mr Gove insisted businesses should have taken on basic changes whether a deal was struck or not. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Conservative frontbencher said: “I think it’s important to stress that, whether or not we get a free trade agreement with the European Union, we’re definitely leaving the customs union and the single market on December 31, come what may.
“A lot of what businesses need to do is the same whether we get a free trade agreement or not.
“No one is keener than I am in seeing this negotiating process conclude but nevertheless there are lots of things businesses have done and can do on a no-regrets basis.
“There’s no harm in doing those things because they will be necessary come what may.”
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster insisted “a lot” of businesses across the UK have already taken on Government advice on how best to prepare for the bureaucratic and administrative changes the end of the Brexit trade negotiations will bring.
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He continued: “We’ve managed to do quite a lot, business has managed to do quite a lot in order to get ready.
“Our major supermarket chains and many of our retailers, lots of manufacturers, lots of people in financial services are ready.
“But we want to make sure the Government is there because businesses had a lot to cope with this year, including Covid.
“We’re just making sure that in the final run-up, the Is are dotted, the Ts are crossed and businesses have everything they need in order to prepare.”
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