BREXIT
The Brexit transition:
the facts
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The UK will leave the EU on the 29 March 2019. This March,
David Davis, secretary of state for exiting the European Union,
and Michael Barnier, EU chief negotiator, historically shook hands
and declared they’d made a ‘decisive’ step in sealing a Brexit
transition deal.
w The transition dates are shorter than first thought. The
transition period will end on 31 December 2021, giving the UK
21 months to implement the deal, instead of the 24 previously
expected.
w Britain agreed to sign up to the Brexit divorce bill – but if
the deal fails for any reason (such as government challenges
or a lack of trade deals), the UK does have a “fall back” option
– similar to Norway, the country would be aligned with the
customs union (which means there’d be no extra costs for
imports and exports) and the single market (where people,
goods, services and labour can travel freely) so, essentially, it’d
be business as usual.
w The Irish border – Britain and the EU promised to keep a
‘soft’ Irish border with the UK, aiming to use technology to keep
an ‘invisible border’ as part of the free trade deal. However, this
has yet to be approved and if nothing is agreed the UK would
resort to aligning closely within EU rules to avoid a hard border.
w The UK is now free to seek trade deals for the first time
in 40 years – although they won’t come into force until the
implantation period ends. Any international agreements
brokered by the EU will continue to apply, ensuring that there
will be little disruption to trade relationships.
The EA’s view
Sue Spink, PA at Arup, is based in the UK and believes that Brexit red
tape could significantly eat into her planning time – and budget:
“The main impact will be on my travel planning – I currently
support the global water business leader whose remit is for teams
across the world, so there are 20 plus overseas trips a year. And, with
our business being in such a global market, it’s a case of ‘if they need
a meeting, we need to make it happen.’ Although I can appreciate
for firms looking to cut down on travel costs that investing in video
conferencing and digital technology makes sense.
“The headaches I’m expecting are more short notice invitations.
Right now, big trips are planned three to six months in advance.
“Budget is a big consideration of mine and I try to find cuts where I
can. For instance, on a trip this year with New Zealand and America on
the same itinerary, it was cheaper to buy a round-the-world ticket than
buy separately. We already have a corporate card for currency, which
helps us to figure out the expenses, but a lot of countries don’t have a
full receipt that includes the item, date and price so that can be tricky.
“Overall, I don’t think anyone in our business will start to panic due
to Brexit: if the business needs it then we will make it happen – it’ll just
require extra effort.”
employee has a firm job offer within the minimum wage
specified they should be able to apply for a visa.
In addition, when Brexit was first announced, companies
rushed to sponsor their hard-won employees for residency,
but there’s no need for now as the rights of all citizens will
continue until the end of the transition period in December
2021. New recruits can still have the right to a permanent
residency before this date however, the UK will still charge
them for obtaining visas.
CORPORATE TRAVEL
Within the UK
For those entering the UK, little will change as Great Britain
already grants visa-free travel to nationals from 56 countries,
ranging from the United States to the Maldives. Passports
are stamped on entry and people are allowed to stay for a
maximum of six months. But, for those booking in advance,
watchdog Which? has advised that flights could be grounded
if no aviation deal has been decided by the end of the
transition.
And there’s more bad news:
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The boss’ travel within the UK is set to become more
expensive.
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Expect to pay more for UK-based