News and Views

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

Local Government Brexit Briefing Teleconference

On Monday, 23rd September the Secretary of State Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP hosted his second Local Government Brexit Briefing call, attended by almost 400 council and Local Resilience Forum representatives.

The Secretary of State was joined by Caroline Dinenage MP, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, as well as senior officials from the Department for Transport, the Home Office and the Department for Exiting the EU’s Communications team.

The Secretary of State provided updates on a range of issues including local resilience plans, control of personal data following a no deal Brexit, and increased funding for ports.

Announcements

• The Department of Health and Social Care has announced steps to protect healthcare access for UK nationals living in the EU after 31 October. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-takes-steps-to-protect-healthcare-access-for-uk-nationals-living-in-the-eu-after-31-october
• The Department for Transport has announced a framework of eight freight operators which will be in place for four years to support the delivery of freight in the event of disruption. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/8-firms-signed-up-to-freight-procurement-framework-as-dft-launches-competition-for-brexit-capacity

Events

BEIS Business Readiness 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.

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

Home Office EUSS Teleconferences

The Home Office is running its 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:

• 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.

DEFRA Seafood Trader Events

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in partnership with Seafish and the Marine Management Organisation, is hosting its 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.

The next event is being held on 04 October in London.

Spaces are still available via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/helping-the-uk-seafood-sector-be-ready-for-brexit-tickets-69198052237

Guidance

• The Department of Health and Social Care have published guidance on how healthcare providers can prepare for Brexit. This guidance is for commissioners and healthcare providers, including hospitals, care homes, GP practices and community pharmacies. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-healthcare-providers-can-prepare-for-brexit.
• This guidance follows earlier, separate guidance on actions for adult social care providers to prepare for Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/actions-for-adult-social-care-providers-to-prepare-for-brexit
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have published flowcharts for import and export processes after Brexit. These can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/flowcharts-for-import-and-export-processes-after-brexit
• The Department for Transport and DVSA have published a summary of the driver, vehicle, cargo and customs documents required to transport goods into the EU after Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hauliers-and-commercial-drivers-you-will-need-new-documents-to-transport-goods-into-the-eu-after-brexit
• HMRC’s guidance to businesses on applying for grants when completing customs declarations has been updated to include how to treat the grants for tax. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/grants-for-businesses-that-complete-customs-declarations
• Guidance on how to move goods through roll-on, roll-off locations in a no deal Brexit between the EU and the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) has been published. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-move-goods-through-roro-locations-in-a-no-deal-brexit-eu-to-uk-and-uk-to-eu

Food Standards Agency Information

• The Food Standards Agency’s bidding process for Funding for EU Exit preparation has re-opened in England and will run until 31/12/2019. More information can be found on smarter communications: https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/local-authorities
• A new risk-based approach has been agreed for Export Health Certificate inspections for fish. This will help reduce the amount of time involved in applying for an EHC for fish exports. The new guidance has been issued to local government Certifying Officers via FSA’s Smarter Communications platform on Monday 23 September.

Guidance has been published:

• on changes to health and identification marks. Details: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/brexit-changes-to-health-and-identification-marks
• on exporting GM food and animal feed products in a no-deal Brexit. Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exporting-gm-food-and-animal-feed-products-if-there-is-a-no-deal-brexit
• on submitting regulated products for authorisation in a no deal Brexit. Details: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/submitting-a-regulated-product-authorisation-application-after-brexit