UK pays Eurotunnel 33 million pounds over 'secretive' no-deal Brexit ferry contracts

[Denzil_DC]

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has paid out 33 million pounds to settle a claim with Eurotunnel which runs the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France after the firm took legal action over the process to award ferry contracts to cope with a no-deal Brexit.

Eurotunnel had begun court action after the Department for Transport contracted ferry companies in December to ensure supplies to the state-run National Health Service (NHS) and other critical imports should Britain leave the European Union on March 29 without a deal.

One of the companies awarded a contract was Seaborne Freight, a decision that provoked criticism as the company did not have any ships and the deal was subsequently terminated last month.

In a statement, the British government said it had reached agreement with Eurotunnel, whose holding company is Getlink, to settle the case and ensure the Channel Tunnel would continue to keep passengers and freight moving after Brexit.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-eurotunnel-idUKKCN1QI4BR

Oh well, it's only money. Another shake of the tree will put it right.

So yet more time and money wasted, and no new ferry operator to help take the strain.

On the brighter side, the government's plan to waive customs checks on most goods for three months in the event of a no-deal Brexit will open up major opportunities for entrepreneurs in the informal economy.