Arrivals to the UK on March 15 could face disruption and long waits, the UK government has warned.
A Civil Service strike has been announced by the UK’s Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union. It is set to coincide with the spring budget by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. The strike by around 100,000 workers will impact Border Force services until at least 7am the next day.
⚠️ Reminder: Border Force are on strike from Wednesday 15 March until circa 7am Thursday 16 March. If you’re travelling/shipping goods to the UK, please prepare for longer wait times at border control.
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) March 13, 2023
🛂 Please be patient and check with your operator before you travel. pic.twitter.com/VzZ95LCPj5
All arrivals at UK maritime ports and airports will be affected by the proposed industrial action. This includes arrivals from northern France who usually go through border control outposts in Calais and Coquelles and Dunkirk.
At the time of writing Eurostar is unaffected, but train travellers should bear in mind that France too is undergoing a wave of national strikes this spring which could bring other problems to their journey.
The UK government responded in crisis mode. “Our first priority is keeping the public safe and ensuring critical goods such as medicines and food can continue to flow across the border,” said the gov.uk website.
With wait times likely to be longer than usual, military personnel are being brought in to ports and airports to support border operations, alongside volunteers and civil servants. Indeed, replacement services have covered the strikers so successfully, some fear the CPS is in a weak position, which could make further strikes more likely.
Particular advice was issued to hauliers to check ahead with operators, plan movements carefully and be prepared for delays. The government also urged passengers who can use eGates to do so where available and asked that everyone “be patient and respect officers who are working to keep the UK border safe and secure for all travellers during strike action.”
The threatened walkouts are the latest in a series of strikes by the CPS and UK border force staff. Anyone due to arrive in the UK or travel over the next few weeks is advised “to check with travel agents, tour operators, and airlines or carriers before travelling, to check if the proposed strike action will affect your journey.
“Passengers can also check airport websites before travelling to stay up to date with the latest information related to travel or possible delays caused by strike action.” Before travelling, check your travel insurance to see if it covers disruption due to industrial action.
