Government launches ‘Time is running out’ Brexit campaign
19 October 2020
The government has published a press release, which urges businesses to prepare for the changes that are coming following the end of the transition period, on 1 January 2021.
The ‘Time is running out’ campaign is intended to encourage businesses to take action now for changes that are guaranteed to take place at the end of the current year. In addition to the campaign, HMRC is also writing to 200,000 traders who trade with the EU, to confirm what the new customs and tax rules that will be implemented are, and how to deal with them.
Michal Gove, 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.”
Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, also commented:
“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 end of the transition period will bring changes for anyone who sells goods to the EU, who travels to the EU for the purposes of work and any parties that employ overseas nationals. It will also impact any UK business or organisations that receive personal data from contacts in the EEA, and anyone who provides services in the EU.
There will be substantial changes to the right to work documentation that can be accepted from EU citizens, so companies need to be aware of this. From 1 January 2021, EU passports will no longer be classed as sufficient proof of right to work for EU citizens, as they will now be required to demonstrate either pre-settled or settled status, or to provide a Euro TLR or visa under the new immigration system. There will, however, be no requirement to carry out retrospective checks on existing employees who are EU citizens. Any EU citizens with pre-settled or settled status, or Euro TLR, beginning a new job following 1 January 2021, will be required to use the online checking service as status is only provided digitally.
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