Brexiters' customs model 'could cost £20bn for UK business'

'Max-fac' option could result in huge annual hit for firms, according to head of HMRC

The post-Brexit customs model favoured by Boris Johnson, Liam Fox and Michael Gove could cost business as much as 20bn a year, the head of HMRC has said, delivering a huge blow to the Brexiters' hopes of fully leaving the customs union.

Jon Thompson told the Treasury select committee that their preferred "max-fac" model, which relies on technology and trusted trader schemes to minimise border checks, would be substantially more expensive than the alternative.