Business leaders will be urged not to get caught out by new rules
at the end of the transition period by the Prime Minister and
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (CDL) this week.
In a call with business leaders the Prime Minister and
will discuss preparations and ask businesses to step up
their efforts to get ready for the changes and opportunities in
just over 8 weeks.
The call to action comes as the government launches the
latest phase of its public information campaign emphasising the
increased urgency to prepare for the end of the UK transition
period with the strapline “Time is running out”.
HMRC are today also writing to 200,000 traders who trade
with the EU to set out the new customs and tax rules coming into
place and how to deal with them.
This follows a clear direction from the Prime Minister that
the whole UK must prepare to leave the EU on Australia-style
terms based on simple principles of global free trade, after the
European Council conclusions last week left us without a basis to
continue trade negotiations if there was no fundamental change in
the EU’s negotiating position.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said:
"At the end of this year we are leaving the EU Single
Market and Customs Union and this means there are both new
challenges and new opportunities for businesses. Make no mistake,
there are changes coming in just 75 days and time is running out
for businesses to act.
“It is on all of us to put in the work now so that we can
embrace the new opportunities available to an independent trading
nation with control of its own borders, territorial waters and
laws.”
The government is also redoubling its own efforts to get
ready for the end of the year with ordering the XO Cabinet Committee to convene five times
per week as of today. He will chair the 150th meeting of the
operations committee in COBR next week.
The government has already published the Border Operating
Model which gives traders the clarity they need to prepare for
new rules, announced £705m of investment in jobs, infrastructure
and technology at the border, and provided £84m in grants to grow
the customs intermediary sector.
Recognising the impact of coronavirus on businesses’
ability to prepare the UK has also taken the decision to
introduce new border controls in three stages up until 1 July
2021. However, the focus of the XO committee is now firmly on
making sure businesses are ready for the changes and
opportunities ahead.
Business Secretary said:
“With just 75 days until the end of the
transition period, businesses must act now to ensure they are
ready for the UK’s new start as an independent trading nation
once more. There will be no extension to the transition period,
so there is no time to waste.
“There will be a guaranteed set of changes for which
businesses need to prepare for, so I urge all businesses across
the country to check gov.uk/transition
to see what action they need to take.
“Businesses have a crucial role to play in ensuring a
smooth transition, and the Government will be there to support
them through this change every step of the way.”
The UK is leaving the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union
at the end of the year and there are some definite actions
businesses need to take now. These actions are required whether
we end up with Australian or Canadian-style trading
arrangements.
-
If you sell goods to the EU you must prepare for new
customs procedures. Visit GOV.UK
to check duties and customs procedures for exporting
your goods worldwide from 1 January 2021.
-
If you travel to the EU for work purposes you will need
to check if you need a visa or work permit and apply if
necessary.
-
If you employ overseas nationals you will need to
prepare your business for the implementation of the new
immigration system. From 1 January 2021, if you want to hire
anyone from outside the UK, including from the EU, you must
be a Home Office licenced sponsor.
-
If you are a UK business or organisation that receives
personal data from contacts in the EEA, you may need to take
extra steps to ensure that the data can continue to flow
legally at the end of the transition period.
-
If you provide services in the EU, you must ensure that
your qualifications are now recognised by EU regulations to
be able to practice or service clients in the EU.
Businesses can get a personalised summary of the actions
they need to take by using the simple tool on gov.uk/transition.
Ends
Notes to editors
-
The PM and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
will host a call with business representative organisations,
federations and businesses with large supply chains on
Tuesday 20 October
-
will meet
his EU counterpart, MaroÅ¡ Å efÄ
