New HMRC data raises UK hopes of end to Northern Ireland Brexit trade checks

Analysis of database tailored to EU needs shows 85% of GB exports stay in the region's factories and shops

UK hopes that controversial Brexit checks on goods crossing the Irish sea can be eliminated have risen after early analysis of government data showed that at least 85% of goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Great Britain stay in factories or shops in the region.

The research comes from a new HM Revenue and Customs database, the EU Access system, that tracked the movement of 1m goods crossing the Irish Sea in 2021.