This page was updated on 5 November 2019.
Resource and staffing requirements are continually reviewed, and we deploy resources flexibly as and when they are required.
The Chancellor has announced £2.1 billion for no deal preparations.
Following the extension of Article 50, Border Force is reviewing its resourcing requirements, including in the event we leave without a deal on 31 January.
Recruitment of around 900 officers in 2018/19
Border Force has already recruited around 900 officers in 2018/19 to prepare for Brexit and boost wider operational resilience.
The 900 includes a brand new Readiness Task Force of 300 officers. This multi-disciplinary team is available to deploy across the UK at short notice to deal with emerging issues and peaks in demand.
Recruitment of new officers and staff
Border Force is recruiting further staff to help maintain security and support flows at the border. We will always have the necessary resource in place to keep our borders secure, including as we leave the EU.
Over 300 additional staff will be in place and trained to undertake transit checks by 31 January. This will likely be a mix of new officers, contingency and agency staff who can be immediately deployed.
More than 5,500 officers already trained for no deal
As part of Border Force’s preparations, more than 5,500 officers have already undergone bespoke 'no deal' Brexit training. All staff deployed to EU exit related activity will have received training sufficient to the role they are required to undertake.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, this additional resource will be mainly used to respond to the increase in customs checks where needed as EU goods will become subject to additional controls.