UK shelves £110m frictionless post-Brexit trade border project

Programme launched by last Tory government was worked on by Deloitte and IBM but was paused in 2024 Business live – latest updates The UK government has shelved a project to simplify trade border processes post-Brexit, after spending £110m on a contract with Deloitte and IBM for it, according to reports. The last Conservative government promised in 2020 to create the “world’s most effective border” by 2025 as part of their plan for a new trade system after Britain left the EU. Continue reading...

17 Feb, 05:00 — 17 Feb, 08:30

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Why this matters

This story is significant as it highlights the ongoing challenges and costs associated with post-Brexit trade arrangements, specifically the failure of a project intended to simplify border processes. It raises questions about government spending, project management, and the feasibility of achieving 'frictionless' trade outside the EU, impacting businesses and the economy.

Key entitiesUK government Deloitte IBM Tory government

The Story

What 2 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

The UK government has shelved a post-Brexit frictionless trade border project.
The project was valued at approximately £110 million.
Deloitte and IBM were involved as contractors for the project.

Key claims3 agreed · 3 unverified

✓

The UK government has shelved a frictionless post-Brexit trade border project.

agreed·The GuardianFT

✓

The project cost £110m/£110mn.

agreed·The GuardianFT

✓

Deloitte and IBM worked on the project as contractors.

agreed·The GuardianFT

The programme was launched by the last Tory government.

unverified·The Guardian

The project was paused in 2024.

unverified·The Guardian

The halt to the programme draws criticism from experts.

unverified·FT

Where they diverge

The manner and implications of the project's shelving

The project was 'quietly' shelved, drawing criticism from experts, suggesting a lack of transparency or poor handling.

The Guardian

The project was simply 'shelved' after being paused in 2024, with context provided about its origin under the last Tory government.

Coverage gaps

Information about the project being launched by the last Tory government and paused in 2024.

ReportedThe Guardian

MissingFT

Mention of the project's halt drawing criticism from experts.

ReportedFT

MissingThe Guardian

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Moderate (27/100)

2 sources— more sources would strengthen this score15/33

Spectrum spread— 2/5 buckets covered8/33

Far L1

Far Left (1)

The Guardian

Left

Center1

Center (1)

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 1 region4/34

UK2

ℹAll sources from UK region

ℹOnly 2 sources cover this story

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

guardian

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

The Guardianleftcenter-leftanalyticalMostly Factualcritical of past government's project initiation

FTcentercenter-leftanalyticalVery Highcritical of government's transparency and efficiency

Coverage leans: center-left

The coverage generally leans center-left, with both outlets adopting a critical or scrutinizing tone regarding government project management and transparency, particularly concerning post-Brexit initiatives.