Latest Government Resources: Is Your Business Brexit-ready?
THE BORDER OPERATING MODEL GUIDE
On 1 January 2021 the transition period with the European Union will end, and the United Kingdom will operate a full, external border as a sovereign nation. This means that controls will be placed on the movement of goods between Great Britain and the EU.
To afford industry extra time to make necessary arrangements, the UK Government has taken the decision to introduce the new border controls in three stages up until 1 July 2021. Find out more.
The way you hire from the EU is changing
From 1 January 2021, freedom of movement between the UK and EU is ending and the UK will introduce a new points-based immigration system. The new system will introduce job, salary and language requirements, treating EU and non-EU citizens equally and transforming the way in which employers recruit from outside the UK. From 1 January 2021, you will need a sponsor license to hire most eligible people from outside the UK, excluding Irish citizens, who are exempt. The process usually takes around eight weeks and fees apply. You can find our more at www.gov.uk/hiringfromtheeu.
Download the employer guide for a detailed introduction to the points-based immigration system.
Sign up to receive email updates on the points-based immigration system
Read the full sponsorship guidance for employers
Letters to businesses in Northern Ireland about new processes for moving goods from 1 January 2021
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.
£200 million Port Infrastructure Fund opens for bids
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. Find out more here.
New Guidance
Changes to legal practice from 1 January 2021 – guidance for legal professionals: Guidance for legal professionals on how various areas of legal practice will change from 1 January 2021 has been published here.
Training fund launched to help vets prepare for 1 January 2021: The new Training fund for vets aims to boost the certification capacity for exports to the EU at the end of the transition period.
Supplying medicines to Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021: Find out what you need to do to supply authorised medicines from Great Britain to Northern Ireland from January 2021 here.
Competition and Markets Authority consultation: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on its draft guidance on its functions after the end of the Transition Period. This consultation can be found here and closes at midday on 30 October 2020
Updated Guidance
Using personal data in your business after the transition period: Personal data is any information that can be used to identify a living person, including names, delivery details, IP addresses, or HR data such as payroll details. Most organisations use personal data in their daily operations. Updated information on the action you need to take regarding data protection and data flows with the EU/EEA after the end of the transition period is available here.
Trade remedies transition policy – Steel: Information on steel safeguard measures has been updated.
Protecting food and drink names from 1 January 2021: Information about the new UK geographical indication (GI) logos and when you should use them, how to secure protection for new products, and cross-border GIs has been updated.
Export composite food products to the EU from 1 January 2021: Guidance on exports of composite products containing honey, gelatine or snails has been updated.
Importing fish for human consumption: Find out here how to import fish for human consumption from 1 January 2021, the documents you may need and customs rules to follow.
Webinars
NEW: Legal Professionals: The Ministry of Justice and Law Society are holding a series of webinars for legal professionals discussing legal changes from 1 January 2021. Find out more here.
REMINDER: Sector webinars – Prepare your business for the end of the transition period: The UK has left the EU and is leaving the EU single market and customs union. The end of the transition period means businesses should take action now to prepare for guaranteed changes and new rules from January 2021. Join a sector focused webinar to check the new rules and understand the actions to take. See the full schedule and sign up here.
REMINDER: Webinars for exporters of animals and products of animal origin to the EU:Find out more about the new processes and actions that your business can take to ensure that you are ready to continue exporting live animals, fish and products of animal origin to the EU from 1 January 2021, by registering to attend Defra’s new webinar series.