With guidance, advice and reports being released weekly, it can be difficult for businesses to understand how Brexit will affect them, and know how to plan and prepare for it.
South Staffordshire Council works with partners, including the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses covering South Staffordshire, to support local businesses and provide information to understand the potential impact of Brexit on their business.
Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce
Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce has developed a the Bresilience website to provide companies with information, resources and a detailed checklist to help them consider the changes which Brexit may bring to their firms. The website also acts as a resource with the latest news and details to help you plan your international business needs post-Brexit.
Federation of Small Businesses: Small Business Brexit Pack
The Federation of Small Businesses has provided an introduction pack about what smaller businesses should be thinking about by setting out some of the possible scenarios as a result of Brexit.
The UK business organisation representing SMEs has the responsibility to help small businesses:
- a) Understand the withdrawal agreement including EU Commission and UK Government ‘backstop’ propositions to avoid a hard border on the Island of Ireland;
- b) Understand the range of ‘end state’ scenarios that are possible including:
- No deal (with no transition period)
- Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
- Association Agreement (Chequers)
- European Economic Area (EEA)
- European Free Trade Association (EFTA) / Switzerland
- c) Prepare for the scenario that would cause the most disruption to the business continuity of small businesses in the short to medium term.
Gov.UK: Prepare your business for the UK leaving the EU
The gov.uk website provides public sector information which has a quick, simple questionnaire to provide guidance relevant to your business. Through the use of the website, you’ll be able to find out:
- What your business may need to do to prepare for the UK leaving the EU
- What’s changing in your industry
- Information on specific rules and regulations
The government has also published the EU Exit Business Campaign Toolkit
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Guidance on plant imports and exports, using chemicals in manufacturing, pesticides, timber, and food labelling:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-labelling-changes-after-brexit - Food Standards Agency – Guidance on health and identification marks, importing high-risk food and animal feed and GM food or feed or animal feed additives. If you would like to sign up for updates from the FSA visit:
https://www.food.gov.uk/ - The Border Delivery Group and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have also published a series of short videos to support businesses prepare for a ‘no deal’ Brexit:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EcnheDt1ziFrExH0Rvmk308s_j2bG2Z
