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Trade Competitiveness

Asked by Alison GriffithsConservativeTreasuryTabled Answered 18 December 2025UIN 100051

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent analysis she has undertaken of the competitiveness of UK border processes compared with those of key trading partners.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson

The UK is a member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and a contracting party to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

The UK is fully committed to the standards set by the WCO and the obligations set out in the TFA. The TFA aims to modernise and simplify international trade procedures to reduce costs, delays, and uncertainties at borders.

The UK also engaged constructively with the WTO’s recent Trade Policy Review of the UK. Further information on which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/united-kingdoms-trade-policy-review-closing-statement-from-the-uk

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