As this extraordinary year draws to a close, one thing is certain: from 1 January 2021, the UK’s departure from the European Union will be complete.
This day may have been more than four years in the making, but for many businesses, uncertainty still abounds. There are, however, resources out there intended to guide and assist businesses through the transition period and beyond.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the information and resources available, from government tools and grants to webinars and workplace materials.
EU Exit resources
A transition focussed page on gov.uk outlining changes for businesses and citizens. This includes a tool which generates a personalised list of actions.
BEIS are hosting sector-specific transition webinars available on demand.
HMRC are providing practical transition related guidance to businesses in a series of live webinars and have also created online customer forums on customs, excise, VAT and other tax related issues.
The Home Office has launched a podcast for businesses which explains the new immigration system.
You can also sign up for Home Office updates on the status of EU citizens in the UK and next steps for them to take after the end of the transition period.
The ICO has rolled out an interactive tool for small and medium-sized businesses and organisations based in the UK who need to maintain the free flow of personal data into the UK from Europe, if the transition period ends without adequacy. The tool will help you decide whether standard contractual clauses (SCCs) can help maintain the flow of data, as well as guidance on how to select the right SCC and how to complete them. ICO will also be hosting webinars in December.
DIT are hosting a series of webinars throughout December primarily aimed at businesses which are UK based who importing and exporting goods. Joining details here.
Tech Nation have teamed up with the Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec) and the UK Tech Cluster Group to produce a guide for tech startups and scaleups, aiming to disseminate what they need to do to get ready for a potential “no-deal” Brexit.
DCMS have created a toolkit of digital content with key messages on data transfers and personal data.
Tech UK has put together a guide for how the tech sector can prepare for the end of the transition period
The CBI also has a ‘UK transition hub‘ of resources to help you prepare, with guidance on specific issues such as importing/exporting goods and data flows
2021 will be new territory for most: it’s essential small business owners are as prepared as possible.
