BREXIT - BUSINESSES ARE YOU READY FOR OUR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EU?

 

Are you ready for our new relationship with the EU?

An urgent message from the Business Secretary.

Published 12 October 2020

From:

Companies House , Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, and The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP

There will be guaranteed changes from 1 January for businesses as we start our new relationship with the EU, and there are many actions you can take today to prepare. Find out what you need to do by visiting gov.uk/transition and using the checker tool.

I know these are challenging times, however it is vital that your business prepares now for our new relationship with the EU, outside of the single market and customs union.

There are 80 days until the end of the transition period and there will be no extension, so you need to act now.

Regardless of whether we reach a trade agreement with the EU, from 1 January there will be guaranteed changes to:

• the way businesses import and export goods
• the process for hiring people from the EU
• the way businesses provide services in EU markets

Help is available, and as Business Secretary, I encourage you to:

1. Check what actions you need to take by visiting gov.uk/transition.
2. Sign-up for updates.
3. Attend government webinars for additional support, you can sign up to attend BEIS webinars now.

Unless you take action, there is a risk business operations will be interrupted. You should also check with your suppliers and customers that they are taking action.

Businesses will play an essential role in ensuring a smooth end to the transition period, and the government and I will be there to support you as we embark on the UK’s new start.

Yours sincerely,

Alok Sharma
Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Read More

BREXIT - €200m PORT INFRASTRUCTURE FUND OPENS FOR BIDS

 

£200 million Port Infrastructure Fund opens for bids

The government is ramping up its preparations for the end of the transition period with the launch of a £200 million fund for ports to build new facilities.

Published 2 October 2020

From:

Cabinet Office, Department for Transport, The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, and The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP

• Government launches the Port Infrastructure Fund to build new facilities at the border.

• The scheme will provide up to £200 million funding in one-off grants to ports.

• Businesses and industry urged to accelerate preparations for the end of year.

Today (Friday 2 October 2020) the government is ramping up its preparations for the end of the transition period with the launch of a £200 million fund for ports to build new facilities.

New infrastructure at ports will be needed whether or not the UK secures a negotiated agreement with the EU as we are leaving the Customs Union and Single Market and new procedures will be coming into place.

The fund is targeted at those ports that have the space to build new border infrastructure on their current sites so that they are ready to handle new customs requirements under the new Border Operating Model. The funding can be used for a range of vital port infrastructure - from warehouses and control posts to traffic management systems.

The deadline for applications is midday on 30 October, with successful bids announced shortly after.

Where infrastructure is not best situated at ports, the government has allocated an additional £270 million to build inland customs facilities.

Recognising the impact of coronavirus on businesses’ ability to prepare, the UK has taken the decision to introduce new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021. This flexible and pragmatic approach will give industry extra time to make necessary arrangements. The stages are:

• From January 2021: Traders importing standard goods, covering everything from clothes to electronics, will need to prepare for basic customs requirements, such as keeping sufficient records of imported goods, and will have up to six months to complete customs declarations. While tariffs will need to be paid on all imports, payments can be deferred until the customs declaration has been made. There will be checks on controlled goods like alcohol and tobacco. Businesses will also need to consider how they account for VAT on imported goods. There will also be physical checks at the point of destination or other approved premises on all high risk live animals and plants.

• From April 2021: All products of animal origin (POAO) – for example meat, pet food, honey, milk or egg products – and all regulated plants and plant products will also require pre-notification and the relevant health documentation.

• From July 2021: Traders moving all goods will have to make declarations at the point of importation and pay relevant tariffs. Full Safety and Security declarations will be required, while for SPS commodities there will be an increase in physical checks and the taking of samples: checks for animals, plants and their products will now take place at GB Border Control Posts.

The opening of the fund has been welcomed by industry, and will see ports accelerate their preparations for the end of the year, as well as give industry confidence that all required infrastructure will be delivered on time.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, said:

With just 3 months to go until the end of the UK transition period, businesses need to prepare now for the new procedures that will come into place whether or not we reach a trade agreement with the EU, so that we can seize the significant opportunities that lie ahead.

We have listened to businesses and the border industry and will continue to work with them to deliver not just a fully operational border at the end of the transition period, but also the world’s most effective and secure border within the next five years. The launch of this £200 million fund will help us do just that.

Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, said:

Our ports are a point of pride for the UK, contributing to our success as a global trading nation and helping bring vital goods into the country each and every day.

This investment will not only ensure our borders are fully operational at the end of the transition period, but will also support the UK’s fantastic businesses as they trade across Europe.

Tim Morris of the UK Major Ports Group, the trade association for the UK’s largest port operators, commented:

There is significant port capacity around the coast of the UK for handling freight flows to and from the EU. Today’s announcement is a welcome step in ensuring that this capacity can be maximised and UK supply chains can be more resilient.

Time is short and it is vital that UK businesses prepare for new border arrangements. We will work urgently with the Government on the all-important detail and related regulations.

Richard Ballantyne Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, which represents ports that facilitate 86% of our trade including all the UK’s main roll-on roll-off gateways, said:

We welcome this fund and the focus on preparing port infrastructure for what will need accommodate a significant change in our trading relationship with the EU. It’s clear that without support there would not be the capacity to deal the new customs and borders requirements. We therefore welcome this scheme which importantly will be open to all port operators across Great Britain.

Read More

BREXIT - SUPPORT SERVICE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND TRADE GOES LIVE

 

Support service for Northern Ireland trade goes live

The government is urging businesses to sign up to new Trader Support Service with fewer than 100 days until end of Transition period.

Published 28 September 2020

From:

Cabinet Office, HM Revenue & Customs, The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, and The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP

The new Trader Support Service is now live for business, providing education and guidance for traders moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol, including between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Tens of thousands of traders will start to receive emails and letters from today (28 September 2020), with details on the launch of the Trader Support Service and its benefits for UK businesses.

The free-to-use digital service will help businesses and traders of all sizes to navigate the changes to the way goods move once the Northern Ireland Protocol comes into effect on 1 January 2021.

Traders who sign up to the Trader Support Service will be guided through the new processes under the Northern Ireland Protocol and can also use it to complete digital declarations.

The service will:

• provide a free end-to-end support package to manage import and safety and security declarations on behalf of traders.
• educate businesses on what the protocol means for them, and the steps they need to take to comply with it. This will include online training sessions and webinars, with information being continually updated as we move closer to 1 January 2021
• be available to businesses moving goods into Northern Ireland under new processes in the Northern Ireland Protocol that start from 1 January 2021

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove MP, said:

The new free-to-use Trader Support Service, launching today, will provide crucial support and guidance to businesses moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Backed by up to £200 million of UK government funding, it reflects our deep commitment to support the Northern Ireland economy and protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

With little over 3 months to go until the end of the transition period, it is vital that traders sign up and take advantage of the scheme, so that they can continue to trade seamlessly and seize new opportunities on 1 January 2021.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP, said:

Today’s launch of the Trader Support Service underlines the UK government’s continued commitment to ensuring Northern Ireland’s businesses get the support they need as we approach the end of the Transition period.

I urge traders to sign up to this free service to take advantage of import processes being dealt with on their behalf, to seek advice on what the Northern Ireland Protocol means for their business and to understand what steps they need to take.

Seamus Leheny, Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said:

We are delighted to see the launch of the Trader Support Service, which should help Northern Ireland business transition to new trading arrangements, protect continuity of trade and help ensure EU Exit is a success for the Northern Ireland economy.

The Trader Support Service will be delivered by a consortium led by Fujitsu, which was selected as the supplier following an open and transparent procurement process.

Further information

Traders choosing to sign up for Trader Support Service can do so at GOV.UK. They will receive full guidance and support on the next steps to take ahead of January 1, 2021.

The consortium delivering the Trader Support Service has expertise across the range of services needed to make it an effective and successful service. This includes the Institute of Export & International Trade, an existing provider of customs education, and the Customs Clearance Consortium, an established customs intermediary.

Recruitment is now commencing for a range of positions to deliver the Trader Support Service, creating employment and training opportunities across the UK.

Educational material will also be available via the Trader Support Service to those importing goods into Northern Ireland from the rest of the world.

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, all Northern Ireland businesses will continue to have unfettered access to the whole UK market.

Read More

BREXIT - MEETING OF THE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT JOINT COMMITTEE 28/9

 

Meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on 28 September

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster co-chaired a meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on 28 September in Brussels.

Published 28 September 2020

From:

Cabinet Office, The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, and The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP

The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee met today, 28 September, in Brussels.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP and European Commission Vice President, Maroš Šefčovič, and attended by the alternate Joint Committee co-chairs; representatives of the First Minister and deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive; and Member State representatives.

The Committee undertook a stocktake of Specialised Committee activity since the second meeting in June and was updated on implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement more generally, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The UK reiterated the importance of commitment by both sides to upholding obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and protecting the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all respects.

The UK underlined the need for timely and proper implementation of citizens’ rights commitments by the EU and Member States. The UK reiterated its commitment to supporting EU nationals in the UK, as well as UK citizens in the EU, whilst remaining clear that measures undertaken by the UK must supplement and support the work done by the EU.

The UK reiterated that the measures set out in the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill are designed to create a ‘safety net’ to ensure the communities of Northern Ireland are protected. The UK is clear that those measures would not be withdrawn.

The UK remains committed to ongoing constructive engagement with the EU through further Joint Committee meetings and looks forward to making progress on all issues.

Read More

BREXIT - LETTERS TO BUSINESSES IN NORTHERN IRELAND RE NEW PROCESSES FOR MOVING GOODS FROM 1/1/21

 

Letters to businesses in Northern Ireland about new processes for moving goods from 1 January 2021

HMRC letters to VAT-registered businesses in Northern Ireland highlighting actions they need to take to prepare for new processes for moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol from 1 January 2021.

Published 28 September 2020

From:

HM Revenue & Customs

Applies to:

Northern Ireland

Documents

Letter to VAT-registered businesses in Northern Ireland that do not trade with the EU and/or the rest of the world (September 2020)

PDF, 1.41MB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

Letter to VAT-registered businesses in Northern Ireland who trade with the EU and/or the rest of the world (September 2020)

PDF, 778KB, 2 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

Details

These letters have been sent to VAT-registered businesses in Northern Ireland to explain changes to the way goods will move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Protocol comes into force on 1 January 2021.

They explain what businesses need to do to prepare, including registering for the Trader Support Service, a free service available to businesses of all sizes.

Published 28 September 2020

Read More

BREXIT - LETTERS TO VAT REGISTERED BUSINESSES IN GB TRADING WITH THE EU ON ACTION REQUIRED TO CONTINUE TRADING WITH EU FROM 1/1/21

 

HMRC letters to VAT-registered businesses in Great Britain trading with the EU and/or the rest of the world, highlighting actions they need to take to continue trading with the EU from 1 January 2021.

Published 14 September 2020

From:

HM Revenue & Customs

Applies to:

Wales, England, and Scotland

Documents

Letters to businesses about new trade arrangements with the EU from 1 January 2021

PDF, 1.43MB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format.

Details

These letters have been sent to VAT-registered businesses in Great Britain trading with the EU, or the EU and the rest of the world.

They explain what businesses need to do to prepare for new processes for moving goods between Great Britain and the EU from 1 January 2021, including:

• making sure they have a UK Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number
• deciding how they will make customs declarations
• checking if their imported goods are eligible for staged import controls

These actions will not change regardless of the outcome of the government’s negotiations with the EU. Businesses can keep up to date with these changes by registering for HMRC’s email updates.

Published 14 September 2020

Read More

WHAT KIND OF BREXIT WILL WE GET? BORIS JOHNSON HAS 10 OPTIONS TO PONDER BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

 The Independent 19 August 2020 - by Denis MacShane

© Provided by The Independent

The next round of technical negotiation on a Brexit trade deal begins soon. But to reverse the famous slogan, “It’s economics, stupid”, Brexit is pure, “It’s politics, stupid.”

The year will end with a political decision principally made by Boris Johnson and him alone. Cabinet government does not exist. The Commons is irrelevant. It is what happens inside the prime minister’s head that will determine what sort of Brexit we get this year.

Here are 10 political Brexits Mr Johnson has to ponder before making his final decision.

1. Tory Brexit. The Conservatives finally won a big majority last December for the first time since 1987. All Tory MPs owe Mr Johnson their seats. Most have believed in the past 15 years’ worth of propaganda about the EU. But the Tory party is rooted in English capitalism, farming, commerce and the City. As long as Johnson delivers an end to British EU Treaty membership, how many Tory MPs will want the full-Monty Brexit demanded by the septuagenarian generation of Tory anti-Europeans like John Redwood, Bill Cash and David Davis? If Johnson says what he brings home is a good Brexit, will Tory MPs rise in revolt?

2. Labour Brexit. The policy of Sir Keir Starmer is to, “say no Brexit, see no Brexit, hear no Brexit”. Labour hopes a hard Brexit, or WTO Brexit will lead to massive queues at Dover or Calais as 10,000 lorries arriving each day with fresh food and most of what Britain imports queue for checks, leading to negative images on TV, shortages of goods or medicines, and giving the impression Brexit equals chaos. Will Mr Johnson offer Sir Keir Starmer this political gift of a disruptive chaotic Brexit?

3. Business Brexit. Since 2016, the CBI, other business and trade federations, or the City have kept under the duvet refusing to challenge Brexit. But as road hauliers, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), and importers face massive new paperwork problems, and the City loses more and more business as Britain’s third country status cuts lucrative trade with 27 EU countries, will British capitalism finally speak out?

4. Scottish Brexit. Scots are furious that a southern elite English political class has denied Scots their right to be European. Does Mr Johnson want to see even bigger support for the Scottish nationalists in next May’s election to the Scottish parliament and a subsequent independence referendum that risks the end of the UK?

5. Irish Brexit. Mr Johnson has already conceded that the six British counties in the north of Ireland will have different trade rules to allow normal commerce with the Republic of Ireland. A hard Brexit will accentuate the divorce between all of Ireland and England.

6. David Frost’s Brexit. In a paper written in 2015, the UK’s chief Brexit negotiator, now Lord Frost, argued “two essential requirements for a successful negotiation” are firstly “having allies” and second “making what you want seem normal.” He also said any Brexit negotiation had to be bi-partisan. There is not much time for the prime minister to meet those requirements.

7. Joe Biden’s Brexit. 2016 saw the birth of the nationalist populist political Siamese twin: Trump-Brexit. If Biden wins the White House one half of that Siamese twin is separated from the runt Brexit. Biden is no fan of Mr Johnson or of nationalist populism. Does Mr Johnson want to bury the already anaemic special relationship?

https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/U5VtdTas-QoL8Kre2.html

Iain Duncan Smith says there has been enough debate on Brexit Withdrawal Agreement

8. Expat Brexit. There has been a downplaying of the huge disruption to life of up to 2 million Brits who bought in good faith a second or retirement home on the continent. Estate agents are still selling that dream of life in the sun with cheaper wine and food. In fact, it will be impossible for Brits to spend more than three months consecutively living in Europe, with very big increases in health insurance and astronomical old age care costs. Many will miserably come home to Britain and be very angry about a hard Brexit.

9. Global Brexit. Ever since Suez, Britain’s voice has been magnified and multiplied in world affairs as a leading nation shaping European-wide policy responses to different issues. We still have 40 Royal Navy ships and 41 admirals, but there will be fewer British Army soldiers than new bureaucrats hired to handle hundreds of millions of forms to be filled in to do trade with Europe as a third country.

10. Brexiternity. The hope that the European question is answered and the file closed on 1 January is a dream. Brexit, unless based on serious compromise, leaving key issues to be decided at a later stage, will continue to be a big issue in British politics and in terms of all our relations with our neighbours. Brexit is only just beginning.

These are Mr Johnson’s political Brexit options if he can find the spare time given all the other crises he has on his plate. Brexit will be about politics and requires political decisions of a high order, not technical fixes by trade negotiators.

Denis MacShane is a former minister of Europe. His latest book is Brexiternity. The Uncertain Fate of Britain.

Read More