Lib Dems Highlight Cheap Chinese Goods Being Dumped in the UK

The Government faces a potential bill of 2 billion euros, it was reported today, after EU investigators accused UK customs authorities of turning a blind eye to a fraud network allowing cheap Chinese goods to be dumped in Europe. The EU's anti-fraud office OLAF has uncovered what is thought to be one of the biggest fraud rings in its history, concluding that UK customs officials played a central role by repeatedly ignoring warnings to take action against cheap Chinese textiles and footwear flooding into Europe through English ports. 

Liberal Democrat First Secretary of State Alistair Carmichael commented: "The Brexit bill is going through the roof as a result of this Conservative Government's incompetence in virtually every department. "The UK border force is asleep at the wheel and it's going to cost the taxpayer billions. "This doesn't bode well for reckless plans to leave the customs union and set up border checks for all goods coming into UK.

 
"From clothing to steel, it seems this Tory government is intent on sabotaging attempts to tackle the dumping of cheap Chinese goods.'Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Brian Paddick added:“This is a damning report from the EU’s anti-fraud office, especially at a time when we need goodwill from our European partners as this Government prepare to trigger Article 50.
 
"Fraud, like other forms of serious crime, operates across borders and it is vital that we work closely with other European countries to fight this scourge. "This report undermines the work our customs and border force do, the Government must take urgent action to address their failings to date and restore trust.”