Brexit round-up – 12/04/19
12th April, 2019
Welcome to this, our latest Brexit round-up. Each week we provide a succinct round-up of the latest news surrounding the Brexit process, so you can keep abreast of the issues which are likely to affect your organisation.
UK and EU agree Brexit extension
The UK and the EU have reached an agreement on an extension to Article 50, which prevents the UK leaving the EU on 12 April without a deal. The so-called “flexible extension” sees Britain’s departure date extended “only as long as necessary” and “no longer than 31 October” to allow for the ratification of the withdrawal agreement. The UK “must hold the elections to the European Parliament” and if it fails to do this, the UK will leave on 1 June. Speaking at a press conference after the summit, Theresa May said the UK would still aim to leave the EU “as soon as possible”. The European Council has reiterated there can be no reopening of the withdrawal agreement negotiations.
For more information, please click here.
EU approves UK’s listed status application to assure movement of animals in a no-deal Brexit scenario
EU Member States have agreed the UK’s listed status to export live animals and animal products as a third country in a no-deal Brexit scenario. National listed status is the EU’s classification for non-Member states and the UK’s application, submitted in November 2018, has passed the high criteria on biosecurity measures for animal health and food hygiene. Without the approval, exports of animal products and most live animals to the EU could not take place in the event of a no-deal exit from the EU. It also means the movement of equines between the UK and the EU will also now continue in a no-deal scenario, offering welcome reassurance to this sector.
For more information, please click here.
Private Members’ Bill on extension receives Royal Assent
On 8 April 2019, the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill 2017-19 received Royal Assent to become the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 (the Act). The bill was brought by Labour MP Yvette Cooper, in response to concerns that the UK might leave the EU on 12 April 2019 with no deal. The House of Commons (HoC) accepted all five Lords amendments on 8 April 2019. Section 1 of the Act requires a Government minister to move a motion in the HoC. This enables the HoC to decide whether the Prime Minister should seek an extension from the European Council and the end date requested should be the date specified by the Government in the motion, or another date.
For more information, please click here.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) updates Partnership Pack
On 8 April 2019, HMRC re-published its partnership pack page as a set of communications materials for stakeholders to use. The page includes links to up-to-date detailed guidance elsewhere on the Government’s website. The partnership pack was first published in October 2018 to provide high-level guidance to a range of industries on how to prepare for a no deal EU exit. The updated page contains: links to detailed guidance elsewhere on GOV.UK for specialist areas and individuals on a range of subjects, leaflets and videos that can be shared with clients and customers and a set of social media images to use on your own social media channels.
For more information, please click here.
We have created a Brexit checklist to assist businesses with the various challenges and opportunities presented by Brexit. Please click here to view.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
This page may contain links that direct you to third party websites. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.
