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SIGNPOSTING YOUR BUSINESS FOR BREXIT

Make sure your business is prepared. You need to make sure you are aware what is changing in your industry.

For example:

• Your contracts may need updating to continue to lawfully transfer personal and customer data between the UK and EU
• Check new guidance if you manufacture and trade goods between the UK and EU
• Employees practicing and serving clients in the EU may need to have their professional qualifications accredited. Check and apply by 31 October.
• If you import or export goods from the EU, make sure you register to use transitional simplified procedures (TSP) and make sure you keep up to date with import tariffs.

The Government has published advice on what businesses should do to prepare for the UK leaving the EU. It has also produced an employer’s toolkit which equips employers with the right tools and information to support EU citizens and their families to apply to the EU settlement scheme.
For further information and guidance please see:

• Government advice: for businesses and individual citizens
• Business Brexit Checklist
• British Chambers of Commerce
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Citizens Advice Wandsworth
• National Council for Voluntary Organisations
• London Growth Hub
• London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Confederation of British Industry
• Institute of Directors
• Food Standards Agency
• Brexit support for small businesses

Public procurementThe Government has published specific guidance on how public procurement will change following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, covering both if the UK leaves the EU with a deal, and if there is a no-deal.

Exporting and importingGuidance materials are available that explain how to manage importing and exporting in the case of a no deal Brexit. The contents cover customs, excise, VAT and regulatory changes. No-deal technical notices provide guidance on more specialist areas. An online tool is available to identify information that is most relevant to your business.
Apply for grants if your business completes customs declarations.

Recruitment Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, EU citizens can continue to move to the UK to live and work until 31 December 2020. Following this, the government intends to introduce a new skills-based immigration system, and has published its proposals for how this would operate in its  Immigration White Paper.
In the event of a no-deal, the Government have announced plans to introduce a new European Temporary Leave to Remain which will cover the period between the UK leaving the EU, and the new skills based immigration system being in place.

Qualifications The Withdrawal Agreement provides for ongoing recognition of qualifications during the transition period. The Government has published a technical notice which includes guidance on the ongoing recognition of European Economic Area (EEA) professional qualifications in the event of a no-deal.

GDPR and personal data In the event of a no-deal there are potential impacts on international transfers of personal data, or for data hosted in the EEA. The ICO provides guidance on its website. Transfers of data to the EEA will continue to be permitted.

Education The Department for Education has set up no-deal preparation pages for schools and further education and apprenticeship providers.

Rights of EU citizens in the UK The European Commission has provided some useful frequently asked questions and answers regarding the rights of EU Citizens in the UK. We have also published information and advice for EU citizens, including details of the support measures it has put in place.