News and Views

Welcome to the Brexit Bulletin – providing an update on recent developments relevant to councils.

Launch of the Brexit Communications Toolkit

• The Government has made available a local communications toolkit that supports the national public information campaign, ‘Get Ready for Brexit’.
• The purpose of this toolkit is to provide you with materials and guidance to help inform your communities and encourage them to take any necessary steps to prepare for Brexit. We hope you will find this toolkit a helpful and accessible tool and we welcome your feedback.
• The toolkit can be found here: https://we.tl/t-DA5nm4XWa7. This link will expire in 7 days so please make sure you download any materials you need before then.
• The support materials can be downloaded from here: https://we.tl/t-ksGdKemOaK
• Additional materials that cover specific policy and audience messages, referenced on slide 6 and 7, will be distributed early next week.
• ‘Get Ready for Brexit’, is running across television, radio, social media, billboards and other platforms and more information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/brexit.
• The toolkit has been sent out to council Brexit Lead Officer today and Local Resilience Forums communications leads.

Launch of Information Campaign for Hauliers

• A large-scale information campaign has been launched by the Department for Transport this week to ensure businesses and hauliers are prepared for the UK to leave the EU on 31 October 2019.
• The public awareness drive will help hauliers to obtain what they need from traders to get through border customs smoothly, reducing risk of delays at ports.
• Please find further information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/boost-for-hauliers-brexit-preparation-as-multi-million-pound-campaign-launched

MHCLG Updates

• You may be aware that the Government have published the Operation Yellowhammer Reasonable Worst Case Planning Assumptions document. Please find the document here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-humble-address-motion
• As October 31 approaches, we have restarted our weekly communications calls with Local Resilience Forums communication leads, beginning this week. Please let us know if you work in LRF communications and would like an invitation to these calls by emailing lgengagement@communities.gov.uk
• On Monday, 23 September 11:00 – 12:15 the Secretary of State Rt Hon Robert Jenrick will host his second conference call with over 300 council Leaders, Chief Executives and Brexit Lead Officers to discuss Brexit preparations. Please sign up using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-government-brexit-briefing-registration-71532031231

Information and guidance

• HM Revenue & Customs have updated their guidance on statutory instruments as some have been laid before Parliament and published on the Legislation website. Details: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-instruments-relating-to-eu-exit
• The Home Office have updated their guidance on right to work checks on EU citizens if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employing-eu-eea-and-swiss-citizens-and-their-family-members-after-brexit
• The Home Office have updated guidance for EU citizens and their families on moving to the UK after Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/european-temporary-leave-to-remain-in-the-uk
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have updated their guidance for farming business preparation ahead of a potential no-deal Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-farming-sector-and-preparing-for-eu-exit

Events

During September and 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. These events will provide specific business-focused advice and help and will combine a keynote address, interactive support and advice stands, and in-depth sessions led by subject matter experts.

Please find further information here: https://businessgetready.frontify.com/d/4QP821hJ7W9J/guidelines#/brexit-business-readiness-events/brexit-business-readiness-events

The Home Office is also 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:

• 25 September 2019 1200-1300
• 22 October 2019 1200-1300
• 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.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in partnership with Seafish and the Marine Management Organisation, is hosting a series of events across England to help seafood traders, processors and businesses understand the changes that lie ahead and what they can do to prepare for Brexit.

The events are open to any individuals or businesses involved in processing and trading fish and seafood with the EU; please share these with your local networks.

These are being held on:

• 26th September – Fleetwood
• 4th October – London

Spaces are still available via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/helping-the-uk-seafood-sector-be-ready-for-brexit-tickets-69198048225

We welcome any feedback you may have on this bulletin. To get in touch with your comments or suggestions please contact lgengagement@communities.gov.uk.

A consolidated list of guidance is also available:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-government-brexit-preparedness