Tag: Brexit

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce: No Deal Brexit is ‘worst of all outcomes’

The potential impact of a no-deal Brexit for Edinburgh businesses has been revealed in a survey of members carried out by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. The responses came from over ten sectors, with the outlook for a no-deal Brexit being overwhelmingly negative.

76% of respondents confirmed that a no-deal Brexit would have a negative impact on their business and only 4% suggested it would have positive implications. Despite this reality, only 14% have a specific plan to deal with the likely impact on their business. The chamber surveyed 102 members in September and October 2019.

In order to address the concerns raised, the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has launched a series of workshops in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP to help businesses to prepare should the UK leave the EU without a deal on 31 October.

The workshops are available to all interested businesses, whether they are a member of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce or not.

They will commence this week, with two targeted at potential issues for the food and drink and hospitality sectors. Guidance around the future supply chain and the ability to recruit EU staff will be among the issues covered.

There will also be further workshops starting next week, to consider the impacts on the digital and creative sectors and professional services. Issues such as the impact of no-deal on intellectual property and data protection will be touched on.

Commenting, Liz McAreavey, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “While we are encouraged that talks to avert a no-deal Brexit are ongoing, the results of this survey indicate the stark reality facing both our members and the city of Edinburgh if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Whatever your views on Brexit, we are very clear that a no-deal scenario is the worst of all outcomes.

“So that we can support Edinburgh businesses to deal with the implications of this, we will be running a number of workshops in the coming weeks. These are available to everyone and will help ensure businesses are as prepared as possible for any scenario. Our hope is that the practical advice on offer does not need to be implemented, which is why we would urge the UK government and the European Union to reach a deal.

“Business continuity and growth is vital for the health of the economy – our survey makes clear a no-deal Brexit will have severe consequences not only for the vast majority of businesses but also the communities in which they operate.”

Further information on the workshops 

Food and Drink: (17th & 23rd October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Food and Drink Sector? Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare. Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will cover the following issues:-

  • EU Staff – how a No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.
  • EU Staff – how a No Deal Brexit will impact on businesses ability to recruit and retain EU national staff who arrive after 31 October 2019
  • Guidance on supply chain vulnerabilities in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
  • Guidance on compliance with EU food law if a third party exporter.

Hospitality: (17th & 23rd October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Hospitality Sector?   Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare.  Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will cover the following issues:-

  • EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.
  • EU Staff – how a No Deal Brexit will impact on businesses ability to recruit and retain EU national staff who arrive after 31 October 2019
  • Is a No Deal Brexit the beginning of the end for European owned deli’s and restaurants and an opportunity for British restauranteurs?
  • Guidance on supply chain vulnerabilities in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
  • These issues will be tailored towards the hospitality sector. 

Digital and Creative (22nd October & 29th October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Digital and Creative Sector? Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare.  Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will focus on the following issues:-

  • Labour Supply Chain
  • EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.
  • EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact future EU staff arriving in the UK after 31 December 2019.
  • Recruiting Non EU Staff after a No Deal Brexit –when and how will this get easier after No Deal?
  • Business travel and work to the EU after a No Deal
  • Information and Data Management
  • Data Protection – how No Deal Brexit impacts on GDPR and its applicability.
  • Transferring personal data between the UK and EEA in a No Deal Brexit: the implications and practical steps to take.
  • A look at data protection policies and data management practices and practical steps to take.
  • Intellectual Property – A look at the various intellectual property issues that may arise in a No Deal Brexit in relation to trademarks, copyright and patents.

Professional Services  (22nd October & 29th October)

What does a No Deal Brexit mean for the Professional Services Sector? Find out how legal changes caused by a No Deal Brexit impact on your business and what steps you can take in order to prepare.   Our No Deal Brexit workshops delivered in partnership with Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP will focus on the following issues:-

  • EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact EU staff already working in the UK.
  • EU Staff – how No Deal Brexit will impact future EU staff arriving in the UK after 31 December 2019.
  • The impact of No Deal Brexit on re-qualification and consultancy.
  • Establishing a legal entity elsewhere in the EU
  • Working in other EU member states after No Deal – case studies on how this will operate in other member states
  • Fly in/fly out business travel
  • Information and Data Management
  • Data Protection – how No Deal Brexit impacts on GDPR and its applicability.
  • Transferring personal data between the UK and EEA in a No Deal Brexit: the implications and practical steps to take.
  • A look at data protection policies and data management practices and practical steps to take.

That’s Settled, then: more support for EU citizens in Scotland

EU citizens in Scotland are to be offered additional advice and support backed by more than £20,000 from the Scottish Government. 

The Citizens’ Rights Project and a new charity Settled are joining forces thanks to this funding to help EU citizens with applications to the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme. Continue reading That’s Settled, then: more support for EU citizens in Scotland

Get Ready for Brexit: campaign moves to new phase with factsheet launch

This week the UK Government kick-started the third phase of the public information campaign ‘Get ready for Brexit’. A new countdown calendar has been introduced to highlight the number of days left to get ready for Brexit. Continue reading Get Ready for Brexit: campaign moves to new phase with factsheet launch

Scotland prepares for No Deal Brexit

A report has been published detailing the range of measures being put in place by the Scottish Government to mitigate a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

The overview document outlines the depth and scope of work underway, suggests what actions the UK Government should take and sets out the challenges Scotland may nevertheless face in the event of a ‘no deal’ on 31 October. Continue reading Scotland prepares for No Deal Brexit

£52m requested for ‘no deal’ preparations

The Scottish Government has requested £52 million from the UK Government’s EU Exit Operational Contingency Fund ahead of 31 October to help prepare for a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU.

Restating the Scottish Government’s opposition to a Brexit of any kind, and in particular to a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay called on the UK Government to cover all additional costs associated with preparing to leave the EU, including those beyond 31 October.

The UK Government has indicated that funding is available where Scotland faces disproportionate costs.

Requests include funding to support:

  • the disproportionate effect of ‘no deal’ on rural communities including ensuring medical support reaches these areas
  • increased demand on Marine Scotland compliance activities around Scotland’s coastline
  • additional communications to EU citizens living in Scotland
  • increased demands on Police Scotland
  • poverty mitigation measures to support financially vulnerable households

Mr Mackay said: “The UK Government now seems to be actively pursuing a ‘no deal’ outcome which is utterly unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs.

“We have requested £52 million from the UK Government’s fund to help us prepare for a ‘no deal’ outcome. This is the minimum requirement for operational activity but the real costs of a ‘no deal’ Brexit will massively outweigh these and further funding will be required.

“Exiting the EU was not Scotland’s choice and the Scottish Government has been clear that any related costs must be covered by the UK Government. The Scottish Government should not have to cut spending on public services to fund Brexit preparations.

“As a responsible government, we are already taking steps to protect jobs and our economy from a ‘no deal’ Brexit and we will set out those plans to Parliament shortly but we are facing additional and disproportionate costs to mitigate the impact of such an outcome.

“We will continue make the case for staying in the EU and will stand firm against efforts to take us out against our will.”

March and rally to remain in the EU

THE EUROPEAN MOVEMENT in SCOTLAND

EDINBURGH 4 EUROPE

MARCH TO REMAIN IN THE EU

A Tory Prime Minister, with no UK-wide mandate, is planning to take us all out of the European Union, without a deal, threatening our jobs, services and citizens’ rights, on 31October. Scotland voted 62% for Remain in the 2016 referendum, yet our views continue to be ignored.

Crashing out of the EU with no deal is the worst possible outcome – it could wipe £11billion off Scotland’s economy in under a year and lead to job losses of 10-25%. Jobs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors are most at risk. Millions of EU citizens could lose their rights overnight. There will be shortages of essential drugs and food.

We will also lose sovereignty by becoming subservient to Donald Trump and without real protection from an ineffective World Trade Organisation.

We did not vote for this. The Edinburgh4Europe March and Rally on 21 September, could be our last our chance to show Boris Johnson the strength of feeling in Scotland against him and his chaotic no deal Brexit.

We demand that MPs revoke Article 50 to prevent a no deal Brexit. We must remain in the EU to preserve peace in Europe and to ensure shared action to prevent climate change.

21 September is the United Nations International Day of Peace: https://internationaldayofpeace.org/

Gather in West Parliament Square, outside St Giles Cathedral, at 2pm and march to Holyrood, where we will hear passionate speakers, including:

Joanna Cherry QC MP, SNP

Lord John Kerr, author of Art. 50

Lorna Slater, Co-Leader, Scottish Greens

Ian Murray MP, Labour

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Scottish Lib Dems

Professor Tanja Bueltmann

Madeleina Kay, EU Supergirl

Cathy Wigley, Women4EU

More speakers to be added as they are confirmed …

Bring your placards and banners!

Event organised by Edinburgh for Europe, affiliated to the European Movement in Scotland. Contact ed.activists@euromovescotland.org.uk for more info or to join the Brexit resistance.

 

 

Brexit: March to Remain this Saturday

Edinburgh4Europe March

Saturday 21 September 2pm

Join us on Saturday, September 21st at 2pm when we march in Edinburgh showing our support for membership of the European Union and especially recognise its ongoing peacemaking role and its work as a mechanism for taking action on climate change!

Share with all your friends and family and colleagues:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1180448458814458/