Government have announced this week that development of the Single Trade Window (STW) in the 2025 to 2026 financial year has been paused.

The purpose of the Single Trade Window (STW) is to provide a single UK border service that streamlines data across government and trade. Please see the announcement from HMRC below.

As you’ll be aware, the new government faces a challenging fiscal context with difficult choices to make. It is also true that the border has undergone radical change in the last few years, including the addition of new digital capabilities. It is right that this government considers its future plans for the border and how best to meet the needs of its users. It is in this context that development of the STW in the 2025 to 2026 financial year has been paused.

This decision means that the first strategic release of STW functionality, including the user interface for Safety and Security (S&S), will not be launched publicly this year. I know HMRC is already working with you and your members to ensure everyone is aware of the options for submitting Safety and Security declarations ahead of 31 January 2025.

This pause will give the government an opportunity to take stock and further engage with traders, ports, software developers and its other key stakeholders to better understand their needs for the future of operating at the UK border. This understanding will allow us to fully re-evaluate how we can use digital tools to support our border priorities and ensure they have the greatest impact on trader experience.

As part of its efforts to support businesses trading across the UK border, the government will consider the role of the STW and will provide an update as part of the next phase of the Spending Review, reporting in late Spring 2025. Cabinet Office colleagues will be looking to talk with you about the future of the STW in due course.

Extensive stakeholder engagement has taken place on the Single Trade Window with trade representatives, industry experts and specialists for each area of the border. The government would like to thank industry for their subject matter expertise and to reassure all involved that this valuable insight will be retained. Your expertise and knowledge have been, and will continue to be, invaluable. HMRC will work with policy teams and the Technical Delivery Partner to ensure we preserve the assets already built.

We are fully committed to attending the various forums and engagement opportunities throughout November to answer any questions you may have. That includes a substantive agenda item on STW at the JCCC meeting on Monday 11 November. I also appreciate you may have some immediate questions that you’d like to pick up ahead of our scheduled events; please do let me know if you would like an early conversation and we’ll be happy to set up a call.

If you have any questions, please let HMRC know via STW Enquiries (HMRC) stwenquiries@hmrc.gov.uk