The Belgian MEP, a supporter of a america of Europe, stated Britain’s former prime minister favoured shut alignment with the bloc to cut back commerce fiction. His outburst got here after reviews that UK corporations are being drowned in new crimson tape led to by the post-Brexit Commerce and Cooperation Settlement. Writing on social media, Mr Verhofstadt stated: “That is precisely the explanation why Thatcher argued for a European single market with out obstacles.

“And but it’s her most ardent followers who campaigned for the onerous Brexit that makes this crimson tape mandatory!”

Companies have complained that swathes of recent paperwork and restrictions have appear their cross-Channel commerce grind to a digital halt.

Companies on the European mainland have additionally made drastic adjustments to their operations amid frustration with the brand new programs.

German logistics group DB Schenker yesterday introduced it could droop cross-border supply providers due to Brexit.

In a be aware issued to clients, the stated it could refuse shipments from the EU to the UK.

Bosses blamed the “monumental bureaucratic laws” created by the post-Brexit commerce and safety pact.

A spokesman for the Berlin-based enterprise help there was no quick readability on when its UK-EU providers would resume.

Worldwide supply agency DPD introduced an identical suspension final week, deciding to finish shipments from the UK to EU.

It claimed as much as 20 p.c of parcels had been despatched with the flawed data hooked up.

DPD blamed “challenges” with the Authorities’s New Computerised Transit System.

The corporate will evaluate its choice on Friday.

Customers in Europe have additionally been hit by new fees on account of the post-Brexit adjustments to commerce.

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“There’s going to be further fees – administrative fees or certainly, the large prime right here, is VAT, which customs should pay.

“We’ve seen varied reviews about clients dealing with difficulties or being charged for varied issues. I can say, very typically, that there will probably be addition friction now and there could also be further fees.”