EU Transition

National Information

The UK will be leaving the EU Customs Union and Single Market at the end of the Transition, 31 December 2020. Suffolk businesses need to be prepared.

•All information on the UK Transition can be found at www.gov.uk/transition

•The Home Office has a campaign to ensure businesses are ready for the introduction of the UK’s new points-based immigration system.

The Border Operating Model can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-model

Information about the Haulier Information and Advice Sites can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hauliers-get-border-ready-with-45-new-information-and-advice-sites

Including the Haulier Handbook - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transporting-goods-between-great-britain-and-the-eu-from-1-january-2021-guidance-for-hauliers

Suffolk Information

For EU Transition advice for Suffolk, please see the Suffolk County Council website - https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/the-council-and-its-committees/suffolk-county-council-and-the-exit-from-the-european-union-brexit/

For busniess guidance, news and events, please visit:

•Trade Busines Advisers at Trade hub - Suffolk Chamber of Commerce

•New Anglia LEP EU Exit - New Anglia

The Suffolk Resilience Forum EU Transition Emergency Plan can be found on our website, under Multiagency Plans - https://www.suffolkresilience.com/multi-agency-plans

The Suffolk Resilience Forum Communications Strategy is below:

EU Transition Communications Strategy

Background

The UK left the European Union at 11am on January 31, 2020.

There followed an 11-month period, known as the transition, which has kept the UK bound to the EU’s rules.

That transition period ends on December 31, 2020.

When that period finishes there will many changes to how UK operates outside the EU.

These will impact on trade, businesses and the country as a whole. The issue of ‘Brexit’ has been a very divisive one since the UK voted to leave the EU, leading to protests and dissent.

However, Suffolk Resilience Forum’s role to try to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for businesses and organisations in the county.

Strategy

Aligned messaging from all agencies to create a single, unified and authoritative voice the people of Suffolk can trust.

Objectives

To reassure the public and businesses we are well prepared and are working closely with partners to make sure those preparations are in place for January 1, 2021.

Minimal disruption to frontline services.

To moderate public behaviours by responding positively to what happens when the transition is complete and encourage people to embrace change.

Inform stakeholders of clear guidance where required

To make the post-transition period as easy as possible to give people reassurance of normality.

Approach

A cohesive multi-agency approach is required to understand and overcome difficulties for individual sectors or agencies. Working together to minimise any impact, disruption or potential public order issues.

Audience

Internal: Staff, volunteers, councillors and board members.

Media – reactive statements or interviews.

MPs

Community opinion-formers.

External: Public, businesses, hard-to-reach communities, service users and EU citizens.

Channels

Internal; Intranets, newsletters, email

Press releases, reactive briefings, interviews.

Social media

Newsletters to residents, if required.

Support through organisations and agencies.