UK Wasted £100 Million on Unused Brexit Border Posts

The UK government wasted at least £100 million in taxpayer funds on zombie Brexit border inspection posts that were either never used or quickly decommissioned. Data from HM Revenue and Customs reveals that five of seven inland border facilities in England and Wales failed to reach the operational stage after the Conservative government scaled back checks on EU food imports.

Significant losses include £28 million spent on a site in Guston that remains a field and £17 million spent on a facility in Birmingham. Other sites in Warrington, Ebbsfleet, and North Weald were decommissioned. While facilities in Sevington and Holyhead remain operational, a £23 million post in Portsmouth operates far below its intended capacity.

Portsmouth city council leaders and the port director are now seeking government compensation for the redundant facility. The site was built to government specifications but is now unsuitable for general use. Port director Mike Sellers noted that while repurposing the post would be ideal given its location, the cost would be nearly equal to the cost of demolition.