Issue 6 – 23 October 2020

1. Trade talks restart Michael Barnier arrived in London yesterday (Thursday 22 October) as trade talks resume over this weekend. The negotiations stalled last week after the EU summit in Brussels. Officials from both sides will hold "intensified" daily talks on all subjects, based on proposed legal texts prepared by officials, which was a key demand made by the UK.

BBC News 22 October

2. LRF and local government preparedness The MJ reports that a leaked government document suggests local government is less prepared for the end of the transition period than it was for a no-deal Brexit last October. The document also said preparations by local resilience forums would be ‘uneven as several will have had to divert resource to COVID-19 and concurrent risks including winter flooding and cold weather, thereby limiting their ability to prepare’.

The MJ 22 October

3. Hauliers information campaign The Government has this week launched an information campaign preparing hauliers for the new customs procedures. The targeted campaign will use radio, press and digital advertising to make sure that hauliers are aware of the upcoming changes and have the correct documentation for each stage of their journey, reducing the risk of delays at the border. Alongside this, a haulier handbook will be made available in 14 different languages.

Gov UK 22 October 2020

4. Operation Brock The Department for Transport has confirmed that legislation to enable the enforcement of Operation Brock – the traffic management strategy in Kent – has been brought forward to ensure the plans can be implemented if needed.

Gov UK 22 October 2020

5. Statement on further UK-EU negotiations: 21 October The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement on further UK-EU negotiations following the statement by Michel Barnier to the European Parliament on 21 October. It suggests that significant gaps remain, but the UK is willing to continue negotiations to reach a deal based on a free trade agreement. However, it states: “It is entirely possible that negotiations will not succeed. If so, the UK will end the transition period on Australia terms and will prosper in doing so.”

Gov UK 21 October

6. EU Exit update, : 19 October The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster updated the House of Commons on negotiations with the EU and the work of the UK-EU Joint Committee. He highlighted that it is unlikely the UK will conclude a Canada-style free trade agreement before the transition period ends on 31 December this year, unless there is a fundamental change in approach from the EU.

Gov UK 19 October

7. EU Settlement Scheme and looked after children The Home Office is inviting social workers and staff in children’s services to attend teleconferences about the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and looked after children on 27 Oct, 26 Nov, 3 Dec, 22 Dec and 27 Jan.

8. Operation Transmission On Monday (19 October), the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, delivered a statement on EU Negotiations, following which Maria Miller asked him to update the House on funding available to support “local transport challenges in Portsmouth”. Gove confirmed that “it is the case that some additional resource will be required to make sure that we can avoid any potential traffic congestion near Portsmouth, and we are working with the local authority to achieve just that.”

Department of Transport ‘pop up’ sites will be put in place within Hampshire in the coming weeks to provide support and guidance to hauliers, however the locations of these have not yet been released.

Hansard 19 October

9. Right to Work The County Council’s Human Resources team is currently reviewing internal polices to ensure that the information regarding ‘right to work’ is compliant for the end of the transition period.

10. Freeport at ABP Southampton Associated British Ports (ABP) has confirmed their support for establishing a Freeport at the Port of Southampton.

Insider Media 20 October

Where to find the latest information and guidance: