Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Travel, trade, phone bills and immigration: no-deal Brexit plan explained

From employing EU citizens to driving in Ireland, plan aims to show UK ready for crashing out

The government’s “comprehensive” plan to prepare the country for a no-deal Brexit has been released.

The 159-page document could be seen as part of an attempt to demonstrate to voters, and also to EU leaders, that the country is ready for no deal.

The report, created after two months of no-deal preparations accelerated and intensified after Boris Johnson became the prime minister, offers a one-stop summary of the impact of crashing out of the EU on trade, immigration, Northern Ireland and many other issues.

It also reveals new detail on what the government plans for the Irish border and employing EU citizens after 31 October.


Northern Ireland


The government discloses it will operate a “no new checks with limited exceptions” policy on the Irish border in the event of no deal.

It says it will introduce “necessary changes in legislation” before 31 October to apply the new approach, but it does not give details on what the limited exceptions could be.

It recognises the policy involves “significant risks” as it is “temporary in nature and unilateral”.

It says the UK will “look to engage with the Irish government and the EU as soon as possible following Brexit”.

The report is conspicuously light on detail for farmers and other small businesses, which rely heavily on moving animals, agri-food and other goods across the border into Ireland.

In the worst possible scenario, dairy producers on the south of the border would be banned by the EU from accepting milk from cows on the other side of the border, putting many farms out of business. The report does not explore this or similar challenges.

It merely states: “EU tariff and non-tariff requirements will apply to UK exports crossing the land border from Northern Ireland into Ireland, and exporters will need to ensure that they comply with these requirements.”

And it restates the policy, outlined by Theresa May in March, that tariffs will not be applied to any goods entering Northern Ireland from Ireland.

It also reconfirms its commitment to the common travel area, allowing British and Irish citizens to enjoy equal rights on both islands “even in the event of leaving without a deal”.

People holding a UK driving licence will need a motor insurance green card if they are taking a UK-registered vehicle into Ireland, something that will impact on the thousands of Irish-heritage families in Britain who spend their holidays in the Republic.

People living in border areas might incur roaming charges on their mobile phone bills, something that was done away with several years ago as part of an all-island telecommunications policy.


EU citizens currently in the UK


The report says Brexit will end free movement of people, allowing the government to “boost the labour market” through a “fairer immigration system” based on skills and talent.

It restates its commitment to EU citizens who “will continue to be able to work, study and access benefits and services such as the NHS” on the same basis after 31 October.


EU citizens wishing to remain in the country have until 31 December 2020 to apply for settled status.

Some 1.5 million EU citizens have already been granted settled status and 1.7 million have already applied.


EU citizens entering the UK after 31 October


A new scheme, called European temporary leave to remain, will be introduced for EU citizens who want to settle in the UK after 31 October.

From January 2021 the government will introduce an Australian-style points based system that will apply to all EU citizens newly entering the country.

“EU citizens moving to the UK if we leave without a deal on 31 October 2019 will be able to work, study and access benefits and services in the same way as EU citizens resident before exit day.

“However, to remain in the UK after 2020 they will be able to apply for European Temporary Leave to Remain (Euro TLR) which will last three years,” it says.

The paper makes it plain that employers will be expected to look to employ and train up workers locally.

EU citizens visiting the UK after Brexit may have to get health insurance if current reciprocal arrangements, through the European health insurance card, do not survive after Brexit.

There are also clear instructions for employers.

Up to 2021 employers will not need to distinguish between EU citizens with settled status and those without, or to distinguish between EU citizens who are already entitled to live in the country and new arrivals.

“In the interim, EU citizens will be able to evidence their right to live and work in the UK by using valid EU passport or national identity card, as now.”


Border


Planes will continue to fly.

But trains and coach journeys may be affected.


Trade

Trade will be heavily affected.

In a no-deal scenario, the UK and the EU will trade on World Trade Organization terms. For the first time in 50 years the UK will be able to “articulate” its “own voice” in the WTO and set its own tariffs, the report claims.

Exporters to the EU should check the additional paperwork required by the EU and ensure they are ready.

Hauliers should explain to drivers that a customs export declaration (P2P) must be completed before they will be allowed to progress on a ferry journey to the EU. The driver should check with the trader that the goods have received the P2P from HMRC before going across the border.

Those in the fishing industry will need to fill out catch certificates for all exports and potentially three other additional documents to fulfil EU laws.

Hauliers can refer to a checklist of must-dos provided by the government.

The chapter also runs through the many other requirements, such as the £10 permit required by UK hauliers on export routes, and challenges that could disrupt cross-border trains and coach services.

Importers will need to pay tariffs on a range of goods including meat, dairy produce and clothing. The government finalised its tariff schedule on Tuesday 8 October with just three changes to the tariff schedule published in March.

Exporters will also face hefty tariffs overnight for goods sold in the EU and to other countries where there is no deal. In a no-deal Brexit this will include the 52 countries which already have a deal with the EU.

The paper says the government “is working intensively to deliver continuity” on EU trade but warns that the EU’s common external tariff will apply on 60% of the UK’s exports to the EU.

In some sectors such as life sciences and electronics, the effect of these taxes will be “minor” but, in what farmers will consider an understatement, it says “other sectors will be more affected” with, for example, tariffs of 65% on boneless beef and 53% on fresh bone-in lamb.


Services


UK companies and British citizens living in the EU who rely solely on EU rights to work, will no longer be able to provide services on the same terms in the event of no deal.

In practice this means companies exporting services, which have not established a legal entity elsewhere in the bloc, will not be able to continue to do so.

Britons living in the EU who trade services such as accountancy, translation services and architecture will not be able to continue to do so outside the country of their residence unless they have acquired such a right through alternative routes such as citizenship.


Data


Anyone trading or storing data in the EU faces immediate consequences in a no deal.

This includes police, hotels, businesses, social media companies, transport and tech companies.

The report states that the government intends to bring the general data protection regulation (GDPR) that governs data in the EU into domestic law.

But as this will not happen overnight and the EU is not making an exception, “organisations receiving personal data from the EU/EEA need to make alternative legal arrangements”, it says.

The government is continuing to press for the EU to change its mind and grant the UK an exemption if Britain leaves without a deal, the report adds.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
EU Proposes Phasing Out Russian Oil and Gas by End of 2027 to End Energy Dependence
More Than 150,000 Followers for a Fictional Character: The New Influencers Are AI Creations
EU Prepares for War
Trump Threatens Retaliatory Tariffs After EU Imposes €2.95 Billion Fine on Google
Tesla Board Proposes Unprecedented One-Trillion-Dollar Performance Package for Elon Musk
Gold Could Reach Nearly $5,000 if Fed Independence Is Undermined, Goldman Sachs Warns
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay Secure Places at 2026 World Cup
Trump Administration Advances Plans to Rebrand Pentagon as Department of War Instead of the Fake Term Department of Defense
Big Tech Executives Laud Trump at White House Dinner, Unveil Massive U.S. Investments
Tether Expands into Gold Sector with Profit-Driven Diversification
‘Looks Like a Wig’: Online Users Express Concern Over Kate Middleton
Florida’s Vaccine Revolution: DeSantis Declares War on Mandates
Trump’s New War – and the ‘Drug Tyrant’ Fearing Invasion: ‘1,200 Missiles Aimed at Us’
"The Situation Has Never Been This Bad": The Fall of PepsiCo
At the Parade in China: Laser Weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a Missile Capable of 'Striking Anywhere in the World'
The Fashion Designer Who Became an Italian Symbol: Giorgio Armani Has Died at 91
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Druzhba Pipeline Incident Sparks Geopolitical Tensions
Cost of Opposition Leader Péter Magyar's Economic Plan Revealed
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Budapest Central European Fashion Week Kicks Off
U.S. Celebrates Labor Day
Hungarian National Team Captain Scores Epic Goal
×