As the year draws to a close, the team at the IOE&IT Daily Update reflects on the stories that you read most throughout the year.
Here, we list the three most-read stories from each month, as we chart the ups and downs of the world of international trade through our news coverage.
January
A trade deal with India could be as important to the UK as a deal with the US, according to a new report.
UK deal with India could have greater benefits than US or Asia-Pacific pacts, new reports finds
Cost pressures for Britain’s manufacturers are growing at their fastest rate since 1980, making higher prices for consumers inevitable.
Factory costs increase at highest rates since 1980s with export prices set to continue rising
Foreign secretary and Brexit minister Liz Truss has agreed to intensify talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol with hopes of getting a deal over the line by March.
Promise of ‘Northern Ireland Protocol deal by March’ as Liz Truss intensifies negotiations
February
Some 24 hours after a dramatic announcement by a Northern Ireland government minister that he had ordered officials at NI ports to cease checks on agri-foods imports from Great Britain, reports suggest those checks are still being carried out.
‘Checks continue on goods entering NI from Great Britain’ despite ministerial order to stop them
The government is asking businesses, traders and the public to get involved in helping to shape long-term customs policy.
UK government seeks business input on long-term customs systems – including Single Trade Window
The UK’s export credit agency is standing behind Jaguar Land Rover’s £650m push into electric vehicles. UK Export Finance (UKEF) is backing 80% (£500m) of a loan by 12 banks that will support the research, development and export of the next range of battery-powered Range Rovers.
Jaguar Land Rover lands UKEF-backed export loan but chip shortage struggles continue
March
An Estonian-owned cargo ship has sunk today in the Black Sea off the Ukrainian port of Odessa after an explosion, Reuters has reported.
Estonian cargo ship sinks off Ukraine coast near Odessa after explosion
Moving aid and donations to the people of Ukraine has been made easier thanks to a HMRC easement on making customs declarations, HM Government announced today.
STOP PRESS: HMRC announces customs easement to 'fast-track' Ukraine aid exports
China has locked down Shenzhen city and the Jilin province following Covid-19 outbreaks at the weekend, threatening technology supply chains.
With China in further lockdowns as Covid-19 resurges, whose supply chains will be most affected?
April
The government has revealed that one of its major IT systems for overseeing customs controls on goods entering and leaving Britain is experiencing “ongoing issues” and that interim measures have been put in place until midday Thursday (7 April).
Interim measures announced to keep goods moving with GVMS experiencing ‘ongoing issues’
The UK has unleashed new sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion and alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
UK, US and EU announce new sanctions – latest on the crisis in Ukraine
British ports are seeking “urgent engagement” with the government to recover the money they have spent building border infrastructure to be ready for new post-Brexit checks in July.
UK ports ‘exploring legal options' following government change to EU imports procedures plan
May
Prime minister Boris Johnson met with Northern Irish leaders today (16 May) to cajole them to “get back to work” amid the Stormont impasse over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Northern Ireland Protocol bill: six key elements it will contain, according to media reports"
British exporters have been warned about the importance of conducting due diligence on their customers and suppliers following reports that British-made components have ended up in Russian weapons used in the war in Ukraine.
Ensure you know your end-user, firms warned after UK-made parts are found in Russian weapon systems
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss today set out plans for legislation that would allow the UK government to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Liz Truss announces green and red channel plan for law ‘changing’ the Northern Ireland Protocol
June
The UK government published its controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill today in a move described by foreign secretary Liz Truss as a ‘fix’ to post-Brexit trade issues between Great Britain and NI.
UK bill altering the Northern Ireland Protocol is published as EU 'prepares to take legal action'
The European Union today (15 June) initiated legal proceedings against the UK, following the publication of a bill that would unilaterally modify the Northern Ireland Protocol.
EU launches fresh legal action against UK after changes to NI Protocol
HMRC is introducing four new easements around the submission of safety and security (S&S) information for vehicles taking goods into and out of the UK - in a move that will be welcomed by the logistics sector.
Four safety and security facilitations to be introduced in July
July
Prime minister Boris Johnson has today (7 July) announced that he is stepping down from leading the Conservative Party, but is planning to continue in Downing Street as caretaker leader until his successor is in place.
As PM Boris Johnson resigns, has anything changed for the UK's trade agenda?
Conservative MPs racing to become the next prime minister are outlining their competing policy platforms, with Rishi Sunak vowing to scrap EU laws that were retained in the UK statute book following Brexit within his first 100 days in the job.
Race to become PM: Sunak vows to scrap EU rules in first 100 days in office
The government has today (Thursday 21 July) announced its public consultation on the design of a UK Single Trade Window border system and the development of any future legislation required to deliver it.
UK Single Trade Window: government launches consultation asking entire supply chain to respond
August
The government has reiterated to British businesses that over 3,500 firms risk “significant delays” to their imports if they don’t move to the UK’s new Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
Move to new Customs Declaration System now or risk ‘significant delays’ to imports, warns HMRC
Most businesses are not yet ready to start using the government’s new IT system for customs declarations, a poll today (23 August) has found.
Most businesses do not yet feel prepared to start using CDS despite looming deadline, new poll finds
Businesses have been told to start preparing now for the changes that the government is planning to introduce to how international trade operates in the UK at the end of 2023.
UK trade is changing,’ warns expert ahead of publication of government’s new Target Operating Model
September
Importers can apply to continue using the soon-to-be-replaced IT platform for submitting customs declarations, the government has confirmed today (20 September).
Importers can apply for one-month extension to CDS switchover deadline, government confirms
Customs checks on goods coming moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain could be reduced to just a few lorries a day, the European Commission’s vice-president has said.
EU negotiator Sefcovic offers 'minimum' GB-NI border checks if UK provides real-time data
Former international trade secretary Liz Truss today (Monday 5 September 2022) won the race to become the next Conservative Party leader and prime minister – having regularly referenced her trade credentials during the seven-week contest to secure victory.
A Truss agenda for international trade: 5 takeaways from the Conservative leadership campaign
October
Businesses sending goods overseas need to keep a constant eye on government updates relating to customs regulations and systems to ensure they are trading compliantly.
Four government updates traders need to know about – including PEACH, CDS and WOWGR
Until relatively recently, prime minister Liz Truss’ most famous moment at a party conference concerned the UK’s overreliance on imports of pears, apples and cheese.
Five key messages from Liz Truss’ Conservative Party Conference speech
Rishi Sunak will soon ascend to the office of prime minister, becoming the third UK leader in just two months.
Sunak enters Number 10 – five stances the new PM has had on international trade
November
The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, this lunchtime (17 October) delivered a comprehensive Autumn Statement, aimed at achieving “stability, growth and protecting public services”.
Five things traders need to know from chancellor Jeremy Hunt's autumn statement
The UK’s ambition is to have the “most effective border in the world” by 2025. To have the most effective border, the intent is to build an Ecosystem of Trust facilitated by the latest technology and infrastructure
How ‘digital seal’ technology provides in-transit visibility data needed for an Ecosystem of Trust
The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) held its annual graduation ceremony in central London yesterday, with its director general Marco Forgione praising the 2022 class as the “leaders of tomorrow”.
2022 class of IOE&IT graduates hailed as ‘leaders’ of tomorrow
December
UK airports and ports are set to face disruption in the lead up to Christmas as Border Force staff are the latest to join workers striking for better pay and conditions.
Border force strikes set to usher in Christmas delays at air and sea ports
2022 has been a significant year for the digitalisation of international trade in the UK. Key moments include the introduction of the Electronic Trade Documents Bill in Parliament, the government’s £180m commitment to establishing a Single Trade Window and its backing of six different consortia to run Ecosystem of Trust’ pilots.
How the Ecosystem of Trust pilots have laid the ground for further progress on trade digitalisation
The government is preparing to delay the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill as it tries to reach a deal with the EU over the post-Brexit treaty, according to reports in the national media.
Sunak to delay NI Protocol Bill as hopes grow that EU talks can secure new deal by Valentine's day
