NEWS

SME Brexit Support Hub

The Government has published information on the actions businesses need to take to prepare for post EU transition. This hub page is built around providing the SME Brexit support necessary to navigate this transition.

From 1 January 2021, there will be a series of guaranteed changes for businesses. Many of these changes will be required regardless of the agreement the UK reaches with the EU on its future trade relationship, as the UK will be leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union.

The guidance issued by the Government (attached) covers the following areas in order:

• Importing and exporting
• Selling goods
• Trading with the EU
• Chemicals regulation
• Animal, Plant, Food and Drink regulation
• Northern Ireland Protocol
• Data
• Workforce
• Timber regulations
• Intellectual property
• Energy
• Access to research and development funding
• Providing services
• Waste regulation.

There may be more actions that are relevant to your business. You should visit the Government transition web pages (https://www.gov.uk/transition) and use the checker tool to find out if your business needs to take any further actions.

UK-registered SMEs that import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, can now apply Brexit Support Fund that offers 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 UK has left the EU and the transition period will end on 31 December. As we transition to our new relationship with the EU, we all need to take action to prepare. From 1 January 2021, there will be a series of guaranteed changes and opportunities for businesses. You need to check what will change for your business from 1 January 2021 and take action now, to ensure you are not at risk.

HS2 Ltd, Highways England, Network Rail and Transport for London have joined forces in encouraging small and medium sized businesses to register for free training courses, designed to improve their prospects of meeting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) supply chain requirements and help them secure future contract opportunities.