Keep your business moving
Now that the UK has left the EU single market and customs union, doing business with Europe has changed. New rules apply in areas such as trade, tariffs, data, hiring immigration, and travel.
The government has produced a summary document which provides a high level overview of the changes agreed with the EU (“the Agreement”) and how they affect businesses and citizens.
The Government has announced a £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund to support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) adjust to new customs, rules of origin, and VAT rules when trading with the EU. The SME Brexit Support Fund could give you up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice, if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover.
The Department for International Trade has launched its new Internationalisation Fund for eligible businesses in England. Match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £9,000 will be available for future activity (subject to eligibility and availability).
Upcoming key milestones
- April 2021 – new border checks come into force
From 1 April 2021, Port Health Authorities will be able to levy fees and charges for checks on imports of animal products (Products Of Animal Origin and animal by-products) and high-risk food not of animal origin.
- June 2021 – EU Settlement Scheme application deadline
To secure their rights in UK law, eligible EEA citizens need to apply for UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021. Prior to this deadline, eligible EEA citizens can continue to access benefits and services on broadly the same basis as now, regardless of whether they have secured settled status.
Information about the new rules and how they apply to you
To find out how the new rules apply to your business use the Brexit Checker on the government’s website. The checker asks you questions about your business and provides advice on what you need to do based on your answers and what new rules are relevant to you.
There are also a number of business support organisations that can provide information and advice on how you should be preparing your businesses.
- The Enterprise EM3 LEP and the Solent LEP both have dedicated pages on their website about the transition and also offer a range of support from video and webinars to one to one business planning and guidance for businesses. More information is available on their websites.
- The Federation of Small Business have a Transition Hub designed to support small businesses and the self-employed.
- Hampshire Chamber of Commerce work with a number export/import agencies including the BCC Global Business Network, HM Revenue & Customs and the Department for International Trade (DIT). They can provide support and advice to business in all areas of International Trade development, as well as up -to-date country information and advice on essential documentation.
- Hampshire County Council EU Exit webpages provides information for people living and working in Hampshire.
- As a result of the UK’s exit from the EU, public sector contracting opportunities are now being published on the new Government ‘Find a Tender Service’ instead of being published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Contract opportunities for Hampshire County Council are also advertised on their website as current.
