Brexit FAQ: How prepared are you?
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”] Q. What is Brexit? Brexit stands for “British exit.” It refers to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union. On June 23, 2016, the UK voted on the Brexit referendum, and the result was a slight 51.6% majority in favor of leaving the EU. The UK officially left the EU on 31 January 2020, which marked the beginning of a transition period that is set to last until 31 December 2020. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https://blog.gotmenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Make-payment-collection-a-breeze-with-Zoho-Invoice.png” alt=”How can I convert an estimate into an invoice?” title_text=”Make payment collection a breeze with Zoho Invoice” url=”https://go.zoho.com/HzZ%20https://go.zoho.com/KwD” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”] Q. Why has Brexit taken so long? David Cameron, the Prime Minister at the time, campaigned for Britain to remain in EU. After the referendum results, he resigned. To avoid leaving the EU without a deal (known as “hard Brexit” or “no-deal Brexit”), the government provided an extension twice to create time for negotiations. A deal with the EU is important. No country has ever left the EU before, so this has created a lot of issues for the UK parliament and EU government to work out. Through negotiations, the UK hopes to retain a thriving economy and appease those that were not in favor of leaving the EU. Meanwhile, the EU provides its member countries with certain benefits, like trade agreements and the freedom for EU citizens to travel from country to country without strict visa requirements. The EU government does not believe it’s fair to allow the UK to leave but still hold on to those same benefits. After Cameron stepped down, Theresa May took over the Prime Minister’s position. While in power, she aimed to pass the deal which she had negotiated with the EU, called the Brexit withdrawal agreement. After parliament rejected this proposition three times, May stepped down from her position on June 7, 2019. Q. When is Brexit happening? The UK already left the EU on 30 January 2020 at 11pm (BST). At the moment, the UK is in a transition period that will end on 31 December 2020. Q. Is the withdrawal agreement completed? What does it cover? Yes, the withdrawal agreement has been decided. It sets the rules for the UK to leave the EU in an orderly manner. The document covers information on common provisions, citizens’ rights, problems due to separation across borders, a negotiable transition period, financial settlement, and more. If there is a “no-deal” Brexit, there will be no withdrawal agreement. Q. Will a no-deal Brexit happen? As the end of transition period draws closer, the UK is facing another no-deal situation. Without this agreement in place, the EU’s laws and other agreements will no longer be applicable during interactions between the UK and the rest of the EU. In the absence of a deal, the EU will treat the UK as a ‘third country,’ and trade between the UK and the EU will be regulated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This sudden change in rules may lead to higher trade tariffs. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/4g9T20wRdio” _builder_version=”4.9.3″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.10″ _module_preset=”default”] Q. How else will Brexit affect trade? The consequences of the UK leaving the EU will depend on how trade costs change post-Brexit. There are two scenarios in this situation. One, the UK could enjoy the same status as that of Norway with respect to its EU trade relations. Norway has a free trade agreement with the EU, which means no tariffs. It is also a member of the EU single market and complies to the policies and regulations in place to reduce non-tariff barriers. Two, the UK is unable to cut a trade deal with the EU. Should this be the case, then following Brexit, trade between the UK and the EU will be governed by the World Trade Organization’s rules. Post-Brexit, the UK will no longer be a part of the EU free trade area. This situation will have a spiralling effect. A few of the affected areas will be the import and export of goods and services, the employment of EU citizens in the UK and vice versa, transport and logistics, copyright, trademarks and patents, environmental industrial standards, and the transfer of personal information across borders. Operation Yellowhammer mentions the worst-case scenarios in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Some of them include new immigration checks, an increase in prices for gas and electricity, and interrupted financial services across borders. Petroleum prices and the flow of data will also be disrupted. Q. How will Brexit affect small scale business? Small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) are preparing themselves for Brexit however they can. The following are a few key areas that will be affected the most: Employment: Tighter immigration rules are likely to raise concerns when it comes to talent acquisition. Small businesses have to revamp their skill strategies before hiring. Reports say that there has been a drop in the number of EU nationals joining UK based companies. The uncertainty caused by Brexit is causing a skill shortage across the country. Finance: The Bank of England believes that UK banks can manage the turmoil due to Brexit. However, this would cause market fluctuations, thus restricting the banks ability to lend money to businesses. To ease this issue, the UK government might establish the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The responsibility of this fund is to fight social inequality by raising productivity in economically backward areas of the country. Growth: The UK was one of the fastest growing economies amongst the G7 countries until the June 2016 referendum was announced. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that the growth rate for the UK will remain just above 1.5 percent as long as the UK leaves the EU in an orderly fashion. The sectors which are most concerned with growth are import and export firms. Q. How long will it take for my business
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