Introduction
On 23 June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum
The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 with a withdrawal agreement in place.
The EU and the UK will start to negotiate new arrangements during 2020, so until the new arrangements are in place very little has changed. We are now in a transition period to prepare for new rules with a deadline of 31 December 2020.
We have been sharing information with our local communities to ensure the businesses and people who are impacted by leaving Europe understand what they need to do.
If you are an EU national it is advisable to apply for Settled Status as early as possible.
Information about the UK’s transition is available at www.gov.uk/transition
Our EU Transition team
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) contacted local authorities on 6 August 2019 asking them to designate a Brexit Lead Officer and set up a team, which is equipped to support the delivery of Brexit, ready for the period around 31 January 2020.
For the time-being our Brexit Team has been stood down, because we left the EU with a withdrawal agreement in place on 31 January 2020. Going Forward we will be known as the EU Transition Team.
We are however continuing to monitor any impacts on local businesses and the community and promote EU Settled Status to EU nationals living in Somerset.
You can email with any EU Transition related enquiries to BrexitTeam@somerset.gov.uk
Settled and Pre-Settled Status
Somerset continues to welcome EU nationals (and nationals from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland) and we urge them to remain in the UK and be part of our community. Find out how to apply and access support for Settled or Pre-Settled Status.
You must do this by June 2021 if the UK leaves the EU with a deal, or by December 2020 if there is a no deal Brexit. We would encourage you to apply as early as possible, to give yourself enough time to gather the documents required and provide security once your Settled or Pre-Settled Status has been granted. Currently, making an application is free of charge.
Somerset’s Diversity Voice has some useful information for people who need to apply for Settled Status and offers support for people applying for Settled Status.
If you are a local employer, please encourage your EU national staff to apply for Settled Status as early as possible. With a significant EU workforce in Somerset, it is important that employers prepare and support staff of European nationality, so that they can legally remain and work in the UK.
If you are a community organisation that works with or has contact with EU nationals, you can contact us for support, for example requesting leaflets that tell people how they can apply for Settled Status. We can also point you in the direction of other organisations that may be able to help. Email the Brexit Team – BrexitTeam@somerset.gov.uk
Useful links
- You can find official up to date information on Parliament’s Brexit website
- Department for Exiting the European Union is responsible for overseeing negotiations to leave the EU
- Prepare for the EU Exit is the official GOV.UK website offering advice for businesses and citizens
- Advice from GOV.UK in the event of a no-deal exit. This also includes a “Check what you need to do” checker, which will help you find out what you or your business will need to do to get ready for Brexit
- The Local Government Association (LGA) maintains an informative Brexit advice hub for local authorities
- The House of Commons Library publishes impartial research and analysis, including on Brexit
- The Heart of the South West Growth Hub has a collection of resources to support businesses
- The Somerset Chamber of Commerce has a Business Brexit priorities section
- The National Foundation of Self Employed & Small Businesses Ltd (FSB) has a Small Business Brexit Pack
Contact the team
Email the EU Transition Team – BrexitTeam@somerset.gov.uk