Planning for the countdown to Brexit

“Exit Day” is defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act not as a whole day, but as 11 pm on 29 March 2019.  The draft UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement envisages a transition or implementation period until 31 December 2020.  However it remains unclear whether the Government will reach agreement with the EU over the terms of the UK’s withdrawal and a framework for the UK’s future partnership with the EU after Exit Day.  Meanwhile, institutions are continuing to plan for the potential impact of a “no deal” Brexit.

The Government defines “no deal” as “one where the UK leaves the EU and becomes a third country at 11 pm GMT on 29 March 2019 without a Withdrawal Agreement and framework for a future relationship in place between the UK and the EU”.  Over the last few months the Government has published over 100 guidance notes to help individuals and organisations prepare for a potential “no deal” scenario.  An earlier post highlighted points in the guidance notes relating to Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020.  A new phase of the EU settlement scheme pilot which includes those employed by many universities will commence on 1 November .  The Government is also due to publish an immigration white paper and an Immigration Bill setting out further detail on the proposed immigration framework following the work undertaken this year by the Migration Advisory Committee.

Over the coming days we will highlight some of the Brexit related materials that are available on Mills & Reeve’s Brexit Hub.