2025 border strategy

Last updated: 18/12/2024

The government’s vision for the future of UK borders is to use technology to help resolve tensions between checks and enable frictionless trade.
A new design authority will bring together public sector bodies, devolved administrations and industry to create a border that enhances security and UK attractiveness.
The main principles include the improved use of data and a focus on resilience. To this end the previous government launched a consultation on the Single Trade Window (STW). The STW would enable data sharing across departments and make it easier for traders to interact with the government. Additionally, more use will be made of upstream compliance measures such as an improved Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and increased intelligence sharing with near-border partners.
The previous government’s new proposals are to reduce the number of fields on the safety and security dataset and to streamline the submission process by relying on the new STW. For Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures a new risk-based approach, with simplified and digitised health certificates will be used to introduce the controls.
Labour have temporarily paused the STW programme, and also announced plans to negotiate a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS). A new SPS agreement could make it easier for businesses that export plants or products of animal origin.
The EU has been considering opening negotiations on a UK-EU youth mobility scheme, however this was rejected by the previous government and the Labour Party prior to the 2024 general election.
Timing: The final border operating model was published on 29 August 2023. Checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high-risk food (and feed) of non-animal origin from the EU were implemented on 30 April 2024. Safety and security declarations for EU imports will be implemented in October 2024. These timelines may be subject to change by the current government.