The international delivery expert ParcelHero welcomes the fact MPs have voted to support the ‘Stormont brake’ section of the Windsor Framework. It says politicians on all sides should now unite to ensure trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is not subjected to red tape and checks.

The international delivery expert ParcelHero welcomes the fact Westminster MPs have voted by 515 to 29 in favour of the ‘Stormont brake’. This will give the Northern Ireland Assembly a greater say on any new EU law on goods, with the power to impose a brake on their implementation.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: ‘ParcelHero was very concerned about many aspects of the original Northern Ireland Protocol deal. The Windsor Framework is a good compromise that will end most checks and red tape by introducing a new green ‘express’ lane for British goods staying in Northern Ireland.

‘Now that the Northern Ireland Assembly can have a say in changes to EU goods laws that may impact on its businesses and economy, the way should be clear for agreement on the entire Framework deal. It has already been backed by all 27 member states during a meeting of EU ministers on Tuesday.

‘Obviously, the “Stormont brake” does not completely remove the authority of the European Union over Northern Ireland, which has become a de-facto honorary member of the EU’s Single Market but, at least, it is now one that is assured a voice. Everyone must hold their nose and swallow the deal as the best option available. We agree with the former Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Dame Andrea Leadsom, who said during the debate: “Let’s not make the perfect the enemy of the good.”

‘Hopefully, Unionists will now get behind the rest of the agreement, which means that Northern Ireland’s rules and taxes on goods and alcohol will continue to match those of the rest of the UK, and that access to UK medicines will be guaranteed. The new “Stormont brake” will give the Northern Ireland Government the opportunity to put the emergency brakes on any new EU goods rules it disagrees with.

‘Even without unnecessary bureaucracy, sending goods overseas – even the short span of the Irish Sea – can be difficult. International shippers can reduce their costs by keeping in mind that a carrier will charge on weight or volume, whichever is the greater. That applies to goods flown into Northern Ireland or arriving by sea, as well as goods shipped to the EU and further afield.

‘This size-based weight is termed volumetric measurement. The problem is that different companies use different divisors to set this rate. Some even apply a different volumetric formula for their express service compared to their economy service. To cut through this confusion, ParcelHero’s new volumetric tool not only calculates the typical volumetric weight but, if you enter the specific carrier and service you are thinking of booking, it will calculate the exact volumetric weight you will be billed for. To check the new easy-to-use tool, see https://www.parcelhero.com/en-gb/support/volumetric-weight-calculator