Exit from the European Union (Brexit)
Information and resources for residents, businesses, employers and the voluntary and community sector on new ways of working following Brexit (exit from the European Union) and the EU Settlement Scheme.
Transition period
The transition period for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union ended on 31 December 2020.
New rules now apply
EU Settlement Scheme
Advice for residents
If you are a European Union citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to get either settled or pre-settled status. Either one of these will let you continue living and working in the UK after December 2020.
The deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021. The application process can be completed on a smartphone app, which is now available on both Android and Apple phones. However, if assistance is needed, the GOV.UK website has a list of organisations that can help.
The GOV.UK website has more information settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families. You can also sign up for email updates about the scheme.
Advice for businesses and employers
The EU Settlement Scheme allows your employees and their close family members to continue to live and work in the UK after the end of the transition period.
Using the scheme will mean that they are eligible for public services, such as healthcare and schools, public funds and pensions, and British citizenship if they want to apply and meet the requirements.
You can use an Employer Toolkit to explain the scheme to your employees. It contains a range of ready to use leaflets and posters.
Advice for the voluntary and community sector, local authorities, partners and providers
The government has published community leader tool-kits, which contain materials that can be used to raise awareness of the EU Settlement Scheme.
General advice for businesses, local authorities and the voluntary and community sector
Leaving the EU means there will be changes that will affect businesses and individual citizens. Individuals and businesses can check what they need to do in preparation for the 1 January 2021: GOV.UK - Brexit: new rules are here
The government's official website has links to news, guidance, services, research and policy related to the transition period, along with a database of transition-period and Brexit-related freedom of information requests.
Advice for businesses
There are a variety of different sources of information regarding the new rules, and our trading relationship outside of the European Union. Resources include:
- Suffolk Chamber of Commerce - trade hub - Post transition: a range of news, information and checklists for businesses. There are now two trade and business advisors working with the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, who can be contacted by telephone on 01473 694803
- GOV.UK - Brexit: guidance on how to prepare for the end of the transition period.
- New Anglia - EU Exit sector specific information on regulations as they come into effect from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.
Advice and guidance for local authorities, partners and providers on preparing for 1 January 2021
The government has published guidance for local government transition period preparedness. This includes advice on:
- GOV.UK - The EU Settlement Scheme (and tool-kit to raise awareness)
- GOV.UK - Community engagement - withdrawn - to be updated soon
- GOV.UK - Regulatory services
- GOV.UK - Council employees
- GOV.UK - Using personal data in your business or other organisation
- GOV.UK - Procurement
- GOV.UK - Waste
- GOV.UK - Contingency planning
Advice for the voluntary and community sector
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has Brexit guidance and resources for voluntary and community organisations - awaiting 1 January 2021 update.