In Calais, first trucks cross new customs border with UK January 1, 2021 Moments after Britain completed its divorce with the European Union, the first trucks hauling goods across the new customs border presented their clearance documents to French agents before loading onto a train to pass through the Eurotunnel. A barcode on Romanian driver Toma Moise’s paperwork was scanned and approved in seconds. “The future, I don’t [...]
UK and Turkey sign post-Brexit free trade deal December 29, 2020 The UK and Turkey have signed a free trade deal that will secure tariff-free trading arrangements between the two countries after Britain leaves the EU. The continuity deal, signed today by trade secretary Liz Truss, means the existing trade relationship will be maintained after the Brexit transition period ends this week. The two countries also [...]
Brexit: Top law firm says City of London won’t get a quick EU financial services deal December 29, 2020 One of the world’s largest law firms has heaped doubt on claims by the UK that it can negotiate a post-Brexit financial services settlement with the EU within the next three months. US firm Baker McKenzie – the fourth largest law firm in the world by revenue and the top firm for multinational mergers and [...]
Ryanair blocks UK investors from buying shares in Brexit move December 29, 2020 Ryanair today confirmed it will block British investors from buying shares after the UK leaves the EU on 1 January. The budget airline said UK nationals will no longer be allowed to purchase ordinary shares — a rule that already applies to all non-EU nationals. While existing shareholders will not be forced to sell their [...]
Brexit: Boris Johnson hails ‘new starting point’ in UK-EU relationship December 28, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today hailed a “new starting point” for the UK’s relationship with the EU after the two sides agreed a post-Brexit trade deal. In a call with European Council president Charles Michel this afternoon, Johnson welcomed the agreement as a fresh start “between sovereign equals”. “We looked forward to the formal ratification [...]
Chancellor: City can ‘do things differently’ in post-Brexit era December 28, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has sought to calm fears that the City will be hamstrung by a lack of progress on equivalence with the European Union. The post-Brexit trade deal signed by PM Boris Johnson last week does not go as far as many wanted in ensuring UK-based firms can work with continental partners. The PM [...]
Brits warned of Brexit disruption despite trade deal December 28, 2020 Brits will face “some disruption” when the UK leaves the EU this week despite a last-minute trade deal, the government has warned. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said businesses and citizens must prepare for “practical and procedural changes”, warning that time to adapt to the new rules was very tight. Gove hailed the UK’s post-Brexit [...]
Wine drinkers toast Brexit deal as French clarets, German rieslings and UK sparkling wine escape regulatory burdens December 27, 2020 Wine drinkers will have reason to celebrate at least one aspect of the Brexit deal, industry insiders say, after it emerged it will cut red tape for wine exporters and importers. Insiders had feared that the UK’s departure would entail an additional, costly regulation – in the form of the VI-1 certificate – after the [...]
Gove: Free ports and smart regulation the prize of Brexit deal December 26, 2020 Michael Gove has said that free ports, business-friendly regulation and ‘smart’ interventions to support entrepreneurs are the benefits of leaving the European Union. Writing today, the Cabinet Office minister also says that businesses have the “certainty and the ability to plan for growth and investment.” Read more: Opinion – forget Brexit, the EU is circling [...]
UK-EU financial services trade set for further negotiations December 25, 2020 A Government summary of the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union indicates further negotiations will be required to establish market access rules for financial services firms. The document reaffirms “the integrity of our respective, autonomousequivalence frameworks,” the Government says. But specific equivalence deals will be codified in a forthcoming “memorandum of understanding.” Read [...]