Local Government Brexit Bulletin (21st October 2019)
Welcome to the Brexit Bulletin – providing an update on recent developments relevant to councils.
The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill
On Saturday 19 October Parliament passed the Letwin amendment. This meant the Government was required to seek an extension under the terms of the Benn Act. The EU has acknowledged the request.
Until an extension is offered by the European Union and is accepted by the Government, or until the Withdrawal Agreement Bill passes through the Commons and the Lords and becomes law, a no deal on 31 October remains the legal default.
The Speaker disallowed a meaningful vote on the Prime Minister’s deal today.
The Prime Minister has confirmed that the Government will introduce the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill tomorrow. The Bill implements the Withdrawal Agreement, enshrining the new deal negotiated with the EU into domestic, UK law.
The Withdrawal Agreement can be found in full here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-withdrawal-agreement-and-political-declaration
Guidance and Information
- The Department of Health and Social Care had issued guidance on three government services that supply businesses can use to keep medical products flowing into the UK if there is disruption following Brexit. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-services-to-help-medical-supply-businesses-manage-brexit
- The Home Office has launched a new wave of UK government advertising to encourage EU citizens to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-launches-1-million-advertising-campaign-for-eu-settlement-scheme
- Guidance on the impact copyright changes after Brexit will have on UK right holders, businesses, cultural heritage institutions and consumers after Brexit has been issued. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/changes-to-copyright-law-after-brexit
- The Veterinary Medicines Directorate and National Office of Animal Health have issued a joint statement on the availability of veterinary medicines after Brexit. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/veterinary-medicines-will-continue-to-be-available-after-brexit-joint-statement-from-vmd-and-noah
Updates
- The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has added flowcharts on importing poultry, meat and dairy from the EU after Brexit. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/flowcharts-for-import-and-export-processes-after-brexit
- Advice to local authority children’s services in England had been updated to include food allergy advice local authorities should follow when making changes to school menus or substituting food products. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-exit-no-deal-preparations-for-local-authority-childrens-services-in-england
Events
Home Office EUSS Teleconferences
The Home Office is running a series of teleconferences for front line staff who support Looked After Children and care leavers to provide further information about the EU Settlement Scheme. They will take place on the following dates:
- 19 November 2019 – 1200-1300
- 18 December 2019 – 1200-1300
- 21 January 2020 – 1200-1300
- 18 February 2020 – 1200-1300
- 24 March 2020 – 1200-1300
Please email Feedback-EUSSsupportmodel@homeoffice.gov.uk to book a place.
Business Events
BEIS Business Readiness Events
During October, the Government will be holding a series of ‘Get ready for Brexit’ business readiness events across the country to give businesses help and advice on how to prepare for Brexit.
These free events will be visiting all parts of the country, allowing businesses to meet government advisers to discuss what they need to do to prepare for Brexit, understand what’s changing in their industry, and for information on specific rules and regulations.
Please find further information here: https://registration.livegroup.co.uk/brexitbusinessreadinessevents/?utm_campaign=brexit-business-readiness-2019
Brexit Preparedness Workshops
The Department for International Trade is running a series of events to help exporters get ready for Brexit.
Please find further information here: https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ehome/index.php?eventid=200194661&
HMRC Webinars
HMRC is running ‘Get ready for Brexit’ webinars that will provide an overview of what UK businesses need to do to keep importing and exporting goods between the UK and EU.
Please find further information here:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6556129852233668609?source=Sep-HMRC-Comms-GOV
HMRC are also running webinars on Transitional Simplified Procedures. The webinar will cover the procedures, how to register, import declarations, import value of goods and if duties are payable.
Please find further information here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/7103030235439356417?source=Oct-HMRC-GOV