Brexit news: Irish PM says still possible to find ‘sensible solutions’ to NI Protocol issues

Updates as they happened from Westminster and beyond

Related video: Nando’s temporarily closes stores across UK due to supply issues

The UK and the European Union can still find sensible solutions to issues over Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements with the right political will, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin has said.

“A positive and constructive future partnership is in everyone’s interests but it will only be delivered if there is a relationship of trust and a willingness to deliver on commitments entered into,” Mr Martin said after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The EU had “demonstrated commitment, patience and creativity in its work to implement the withdrawal agreement and the protocol,” he added.

It comes as supermarkets and hauliers have issued a warning to shoppers that supply struggles could mean they face long-term higher food prices.

A shortfall of around 100,000 drivers, which has been driven by thousands of European drivers leaving during the pandemic and not returning, as well as “high numbers” of workers retiring, is being blamed for the trouble, hauliers told PA.

Key Points

• Driver shortage could hike up food prices, warn supermarkets
• Retailers plan to ‘snub Black Friday deals due to shortages’ – report
• Labour tells ministers they must fix supply chain ‘chaos’
• ‘Government must step up and sort out shortage crisis,’ says Reeves
• Cross-party commission to examine food shortage issue
• Leaders must find ‘sensible solutions’ to NI Protocol issues, says Irish PM

[26 August 2021 16:50 · Tom Batchelor]

Brexit shortages should encourage people to shop locally, says farm owner

British-based organic farm and butchers, Peelham Farm, has said the Brexit-induced shortages provided an incentive for Britons to shop locally.

Owner Denise Walton said: “Shopping locally for fresh produce is essential for small businesses like ours to succeed and grow. And when there are shortages of produce for large chain supermarkets, there is no better time to shop locally.

“As Brexit’s impact on drivers causes a standstill for large commercial food retailers like Tesco, small businesses like ours continue to grow as a result of an increase in local trade.

“Over the coming months, we expect to see more new customers who are choosing to shop with us to buy their meat as a result of the significant price differences. As a result of these factors, we (and many other businesses) are expecting to see a rise in profit growth as we head into the Christmas season.”

[26 August 2021 17:10 · Tom Batchelor]

More than 1/4 of food and hospitality firms hit by low stock levels

More than a quarter of food and hospitality firms have been hit by low stock levels in recent weeks as Britain’s mounting supply chain crisis takes it toll, according to new figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said its recent business survey found that 27 per cent of food and accommodation firms have reported lower than normal stock levels - the worst-hit of all the sectors.

Low stock levels were also reported by 23 per cent of manufacturers and 25 per cent of firms in the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry.

The latest ONS fortnightly business poll revealed that firms across the UK have been struggling to get hold of materials, goods and services.

More than one in seven construction firms - 15.4 per cent - said they have not been able to get the materials they need in recent weeks, while 9% of hospitality firms also reported the same issue.

Nearly one in five manufacturing firms - 18.4 per cent - have had to change suppliers or find alternative ways to get materials, goods or services, with 16.5 per cent of construction firms and 11.4 per cent of food and hospitality companies reporting the same, according to the ONS.

It found less than half of builders and hospitality firms said they had been able to source all the materials, goods and services they needed without issues - at 42.1 per cent and 46.2 per cent respectively.

[26 August 2021 17:12 · Tom Batchelor]

HGV shortages lead to ‘60 per cent increase' in air freight enquiries

Robert Jubb, UK head of freight at Air Partner, an aircraft charter company, has revealed the shortage of HGV drivers has triggered a rise in air freight enquiries.

He said: “As a result of the ongoing disruption to the global supply chain and shortages of HGV drivers, there are concerns around fulfilling orders in the lead-up to Christmas. We expect to see an increase in demand for dedicated cargo flights from major retailers seeking to minimise disruption to their global supply chain and continue serving their customers.

“Recent complications to supply chains due to Brexit and a lack of available HGV drivers has seen our enquiries for air freight increase by as much as 60 per cent to meet demand for orders typically fulfilled via sea or road transportation.

“Sea freight is experiencing significant delays in shipping, due to a short supply of available containers and costs are at their highest, which is driving further interest in air freight.

“Seafreight continues to run beyond maximum capacity and cargo aircraft are close to being fully-booked between September and the end of the year.”