Brexit

On 23 June 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. Nationally 51.9% of voters opted to leave. The results in North Somerset were similar to the national result with 52.2% of voters opting to leave.

The UK Government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union in March 2017. This culminated in the UK formally leaving the EU on 31 January 2020. After this we entered a transition period. This period was agreed as part of the Withdrawal Agreement and will end on 31 December 2020.

During the transition period, the UK government is working to establish a future relationship with the EU. This is to include a trade deal. In the event an agreement is not met, plans have been put in place for a reasonable worst case scenario.

This can include a:

  • 'no-deal Brexit'
  • deal which diverges significantly from current legal frameworks.

Individual rights will stay the same until after 31 December 2020.

Guidance about business, travel and work can now be found on the GOV.UK website.

North Somerset risk assessment

We have created the North Somerset risk assessment to take into account both a no-deal Brexit, or a deal of significant change, as discussed above. 

Help and advice

HMRC has created some videos for businesses in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The GOV.UK website provides free advice on where businesses can find information and guidance to prepare for Brexit.

Supporting our communities – EU Settlement Scheme

European residents and their families will continue to be valued members of our community, who we hope will carry on to make North Somerset their home. If you’re an EU citizen, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.

Using the scheme will mean you are eligible for public services, such as healthcare and schools, public funds, pensions and British citizenship – if you want to apply and you meet the requirements.

You can find out more about the scheme, including how to apply, on the GOV.UK website.

Medicines

The government is working with industry to make sure that there is a continued supply of medicines, vaccines, medical devices and clinical consumables when the UK leaves the EU.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has asked pharmaceutical companies that supply the UK from or through the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) to keep an extra six weeks’ additional stock on top of their usual supply by 31 October 2019.

Hate crime

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate crime, you should let the police know.

Supporting our businesses – advice for employers

The government has produced a toolkit for employers to explain the EU Settlement Scheme to their employees.