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The UK Transition

We have all been caught in the headlights of the Covid-19 pandemic, when all awhile Brexit is creeping up behind us. Sadly, we can’t ignore the impact that Brexit may have on our businesses (and personal lives), and it really is key for us to re-focus on the potential impact of Brexit.

Now that the UK has left the EU, there will be new rules from January 1st 2021. The UK is now in an 11-month period, known as the transition, that keeps the UK bound to the EU’s rules whilst the UK and EU are engaged in negotiations on a future relationship. 

What is the transition period?

The transition (also known as the implementation period) will end on 31 December 2020 and it cannot be extended beyond that date. While in transition, the UK remains in both the EU customs union and single market and the following will remain the same until December including:

  • Travelling to and from the EU (including the rules around driving licences and pet passports)
  • Freedom of movement (the right to live and work in the EU and vice versa)
  • UK-EU trade, which will continue without any extra charges or checks being introduced

As part of your business’s planning and strategy, the Government has launched a helpful questionnaire to point you in the right direction, “The UK transition: time is running out”. Follow the link here: https://www.gov.uk/transition. Each business needs a contingency plan unique to their own requirements. Decisions about actions to take will be different for every company, and are therefore a matter for each individual business.