Northern Ireland protocol published

The Cabinet Office has published guidance on the Northern Ireland protocol to the withdrawal agreement that will take effect at the end of the transition period. The aim is to avoid a hard border with Ireland while ensuring the UK including Northern Ireland leaves the EU as a whole. Special provisions will apply only in Northern Ireland while the protocol is in force.

The guidance outlines that under the protocol the UK government will ensure that moving goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain should take place as it does now – there will be no additional process paperwork or restrictions on Northern Ireland goods moving to Great Britain delivering unfettered access.

Changes for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will be kept to an absolute minimum - a new trader support service will be available to all...