On the 2nd October I visited the Port of Hull to find out how businesses, such as haulier company Neill & Brown Global Logistics, have been trying to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.

Neill & Brown are a well-established family business that represents a UK logistics success story. Frustratingly, they have experienced several major setbacks in their preparations due to Government slowness. For example, their EU haulier permits are now null and void, creating uncertainty and worry for a family business. With fewer than one hundred days left before the end of the transition period, it is clear that the Government needs to urgently do more to help British businesses prepare. It has become clear that a very many UK businesses are a similar position to Neill & Brown’s, leaving them with fears that they may be unable to access the EU market from January.

British businesses based in ports like Hull, which provides £800 million to the UK’s economy, will be essential in making Brexit work moving forward. The Government has had ample time to help the UK logistic industry prepare – they have had four years and three Prime Ministers, and yet still no real progress has been made. Better leadership must be shown urgently to act fast and ensure Brexit gets done with the best interests of UK businesses, such as those based in the port of Hull, at its centre.