Issue 13 – 10 December 2020

1. UK-EU negotiations The Prime Minister, , and President von der Leyen met r in Brussels last night (9 December) . The UK Government’s statement sets out that leaders had a “frank discussion about the state of play in the negotiations”. They acknowledged that the situation remained very difficult and there were still major differences between the two sides. They agreed that Chief Negotiators would continue talks over the next few days and that a firm decision should be taken about the future of the talks by Sunday 13 December.

Gov UK 9 December

2. EU contingency plans In case of a no deal, the EU Commission has published a set of targeted contingency measures ensuring basic reciprocal air and road connectivity between the EU and the UK, as well as allowing for the possibility of reciprocal fishing access by EU and UK vessels to each other's waters.

Separately, the European Commission has confirmed reports that a ban on travel to the EU because of Covid-19 levels, applied to non-EU countries, will be extended to UK visitors from 1 January.

BBC / European Commission 10 December

3. Withdrawal Agreement The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster delivered a statement yesterday (9 December) in the House of Commons on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol as part of the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union.

Gov UK 9 December

4. Trade and services agreements Over the last week, the UK Government has signed trade agreements with multiple countries including: • Canada, worth £11.4bn by International Trade Secretary Liz Truss on 9 December • Singapore and Vietnam trade continuity deal bringing the UK closer to joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) by Liz Truss on 10 December • Kenya deal signed by International Trade Minister and MP, Ranil Jayawardena on 8 December • Norway, Iceland and UK trade continuity deal worth £27bn by Ranil Jayawardena on 8 December • Switzerland key services mobility agreement to allow UK professionals to continue travelling freely to Switzerland and work visa-free for up to 90 days a year, agreed on 4 December 5. UK approach to US trade tariffs The Department for International Trade (DIT) has announced an independent approach to the longstanding trade conflicts between the EU and US around steel and aluminium and aerospace tariffs. A consultation will be launched by DIT, the details will be confirmed soon.

Gov UK 8 December

6.Trade arrangements from 1 January 2021 The Government has published letters that have been sent to VAT-registered businesses in the UK trading with the EU, or the EU and the rest of the world. The letters explain what businesses need to do to prepare for new processes for moving goods from 1 January.

Gov UK 9 December

7. Impact of on councils The LGC reports that 5% of councils could face bankruptcy after the impact of Covid-19 and the economic fallout of Brexit, according to a leaked government document of reasonable worst case scenarios.

LGC 8 December

8. Data protection The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has circulated restricted updated guidance on preparing for a possible outcome where the EU does not grant the UK ‘adequate’ status regarding GDPR to local authority chief executives.

No link 2 December

9. EU Settlement Scheme The next phase of the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme has launched. The campaign will run until 31 December across paid social, digital advertising, audio and paid search. It will target EEA citizens across the UK with communications focussed in areas with relatively low take-up rate of applications.

The campaign aims to address the barriers to application, with a targeted focus on areas with a relatively low take-up rate. Further campaign activity will run from February 2021 to the scheme deadline, 30 June 2021.

No link 7 December

10. Taxation (Post-Transition Period) Bill On Tuesday (8 December), the Government introduced the Taxation (Post-Transition Period) Bill. This implements key aspects of the Northern Ireland Protocol in UK legislation, providing legal clarity for how customs, VAT, and excise duty will be dealt with after the end of the transition period.

Gov UK 8 December

11. GB-EU export certification Following the end of the Transition Period, live animals and products of an animal origin will require export health certification for export to the EU. Certifying officers will play a key role in ensuring that businesses can continue to trade with the EU after the Transition Period.

12. Business and the Future of Immigration podcast With the aim of helping employers prepare for the points-based immigration system, the Home Office has created a podcast episode in partnership with Intelligence Squared. The Government has also updated the guidance on the points-based system for employers.

Podcast / Guidance

13. Operation Transmission Operation Transmission formally commenced today (10 December). Physical measures, including signage, will start appearing shortly. The actual contraflow will be in operation on 30 December and the site will be fully staffed from 31 December. Hampshire County Council 10 December

14. Trading Standards Hampshire Trading Standards has undertaken an assessment of the likely impact of an ‘Australia style’ EU exit on the service. Key risks identified include animal health and welfare and product safety. Summary below:

Farmer funding, Animal Health and Welfare The phasing out of EU farm subsidies raise concerns around the commercial sustainability of the local farming industry. Disruption to EU subsidy and increased costs could lead to increased risks of poor animal welfare and disease. Trading Standards have stepped up engagement with farmers to increase overt presence, identify issues earlier and continue to explore new partnerships to leverage resource and reduce the need for additional inspections.

Product safety and metrology UK ‘distributors’ of goods will become ‘importers’ which means additional responsibilities and accountabilities for those businesses to ensure the products they deal in are both safe and legally compliant. As such Trading Standards will focus inland market surveillance activities in this area from January onwards.

Where to find the latest information and guidance:

• Latest government information on transition: https://www.gov.uk/transition

• Government guidance for local authorities: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/preparing-local-government-for-1- january-2021

• Hampshire County Council EU Exit webpages: https://www.hants.gov.uk/business/eu-exit

• Hampshire County Council news: https://www.hants.gov.uk/News