We have a look at whether there will be an extension to the transition period due to Covid-19, our rights after Brexit, and unfortunately, our events are cancelled for the foreseeable future. Instead, we will be focusing on delivering resources and information to you digitally. Stay tuned for more updates.
In Politics
Extension to the transition period?
Coronavirus takes up all Government capacity
Johnson does not want to extend the transition period
Necessity might take over
With the globe’s concentration on coronavirus, it is no different for the EU and UK. In the EU, some countries have gone into lockdown to try and prevent the virus’ effects from spreading and worsening. The UK is also taking increasing measures, schools across the UK will shut indefinitely today. With all the Government's capacity (on both sides of the channel) taken up, rightly so, with dealing with the coronavirus, will there be an extension to the transition period?
Johnson has previously ruled it out, and when asked at PMQs this week by Stephen Farry MP he replied by saying the priority is a coronavirus and the ‘other matter...has already been legislated for’. However, even the hardest Brexiteer Ministers will be wary about a potential no-deal Brexit in the middle of global health, and potentially financial, crisis.
The European Policy Centre outlined why they believe a longer transition period is necessary- carrying out negotiations remotely is more difficult and the economic disruption coupled with the financial impacts of Covid-19 could ‘not only further fuel the downward spiral but trigger a full-blown financial crisis’. Similarly, Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe told the Future Relationship with the EU Committee that not only does the virus makes an already compressed timetable for negotiations more compressed but it makes the task of business adaption much more difficult when added with the forced adaption that Covid-19 is causing. He concluded that “the addition of the virus means that the case for extension to transition much, much stronger, just to allow the economy to adapt and to put the requisite measures in place”. On extending the transition period due to Covid-19, the Institute for Government have also said that “both sides should leave such politics at the door when confronting Covid-19. Any decision to extend the deadline on the grounds of coronavirus must be made in good faith”.
In Policy
Rights after Brexit: what will change?
Read our new report on rights after Brexit
Covers transition period and the future relationship
We have published our ‘Rights after Brexit:what will change?’ report written by Kathryn Sturgeon. The report covers the changes to our rights as the UK leaves the EU, through the transition period, and what to expect in the future. It contains information on workers’ rights, benefits, voting and travel. It also covers changes to EU and UK citizens rights.
Get your copy of the report to read and share here.
Potential UKSPF Delay
Coronavirus looks to delay the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Among the many things to be delayed by the coronavirus is the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). As reported by the Telegraph the CSR could be delayed until Autumn. This is problematic for organisations who are waiting for further information about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. As we noted when the budget came out, the budget stated that we would hear about the UKSPF in the CSR. That was due to be in July, already years later than originally mooted by Conservative Ministers, but means civil society will potentially be waiting until the end of the year.
In the meantime have a look at Equally Ours joint principles for the UKSPF and sign up here.
In Events
Sadly, as you may already know, we have had to cancel our upcoming events due to Covid-19.This includes the Human Rights, Brexit, and Devolution conference in Edinburgh on the 25th March, and our Brexit and Civil Society roundtable in Bristol on the 31st March.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these cancellations. We are looking at alternative digital opportunities and will keep you in the loop on any developments.
Recommended Reading
The EU have published their draft agreement for the future relationship. Download here
The UK publishes its coronavirus bill here
Global Justice Now reacts to the new Trade Bill here
The Public Law Project is scrutinising the Coronavirus Bill, more information here.
NCVO has published guidance on the coronavirus and what it means for your organisation, available here
See how the Government is progressing with its Brexit Bills here
Hundreds of EU nationals told they don’t have the right to stay in the UK, figures show