Toilet paper supplies under threat as manufacturer issues no-deal Brexit warning

Toilet paper firms are preparing for the impact of border delays in the event of a no-deal Brexit
Getty Images
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

A no-deal Brexit poses a threat to toilet paper supplies as manufacturers reveal they are preparing for possible blockages at the border.

Essity, which manufactures the Velvet and Cushelle brands for the UK market, said it was developing "robust contingency plans" across its supply chain to cope.

But it warned that stocks were "not unlimited".

The company manufactures tissue in the UK and said it had built stocks of raw materials and spare parts to ensure supply in the event of short-term border delays.

It is also holding stocks of finished products that are imported or exported between the UK and EU.

The company's comments follow Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards using a written question in Parliament to ask ministers for details on how long stocks of toilet paper will last in a no-deal scenario.

Cabinet Office minister Simon Hart said the UK Government is working to ensure the "best possible preparation" to support the flow of goods, a response Mr Edwards labelled as "farcical" given the lack of assurances.

An Essity spokeswoman said: "As far as possible, Essity is developing robust contingency plans across the whole of our supply chain to mitigate any short-term risks following a 'no deal' or 'hard' exit of the EU.

"However, stocks are not unlimited, and some will not withstand long-term border delays outlined by the Government or in the event of consumer panic buying."

In Parliament, Mr Edwards said in his written question: "To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how long supplies of toilet paper will last in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal?"

Mr Hart replied: "The Government would prefer to leave the EU on October 31 with a deal. If this is not possible, we will have to leave with no deal.

"In the event of no deal, the Government will prioritise the flow of goods at the border while continuing to take a risk-based approach to controls and checks on goods to minimise additional friction."

He added: "We will continue to work to make sure we have the best possible preparation to support the flow of goods."

Mr Edwards said: "This is the farcical level we have descended to - the British Government can no longer even guarantee we have the necessary supplies of toilet paper in a crash-out Brexit.

"It's already said it's willing to flush the economy down the toilet, but now we won't have the paper to clean up after.

"As much as this revelation lends itself to toilet humour, it shows the serious damage a no-deal Brexit would do, even to our most basic of supplies."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in