Welcome to the August 2019 edition of the BPIF’s Brexit Bulletin. Despite the summer holidays, there’s still plenty to report back on. In this month’s edition, we’ll be sharing our new trade checklist and giving you the heads up on automatic EORI registration.

You can add colleagues to our mailing list by logging into the members’ area of the BPIF website or contacting your Regional Director.

In this month’s Bulletin:

1. Brexit update

2. Latest member views

3. Automatic EORI registration

4. Trade checklist

5. Workforce planning – new CIPD Guide

6. Government Steering Committee for Trade Continuity

7. Latest publications

1. Brexit update

The leaking of the Operation Yellowhammer document this month shone a spotlight on the impact of a no-deal Brexit. From transport disruption to potential food and medicine shortages, the impacts on both individuals and businesses could be huge – for example, it’s thought that HGVs could face delays of up to two and a half days before being able to cross the border into the EU.

Government’s increased its no-deal planning efforts, but the backlash caused by the suspension of Parliament has sparked protests, a legal challenge and a petition (currently standing at over 1.3 million signatures). For MPs trying to stop a no-deal Brexit, there are still some options – a vote of no-confidence in the Government, introducing legislation in the limited time available, the Court system, an election and – lest we forget – a revised deal with the EU.

We know the UK has stepped up its planning for a no-deal, but what are European countries doing to prepare?

2. Latest member views

Printing Outlook Q3 2019 was published this month. It’s found that Brexit remains the most voiced business concern, on this occasion 61% of respondents selected it as one of their top three business concerns (down from 70% in Q2).

Respondents were asked what their preference was – no Brexit, Brexit with a deal, or a no-deal Brexit. No Brexit topped the poll with the smallest of majorities, 51%. Brexit with a deal attracted a 36% share of respondents, whilst a no-deal Brexit received a 13% share.

The primary Brexit concern is maintaining a reliable and secure supply chain, there being a realisation that many inputs (in particular paper) do not originate in the UK. Supply chain security was selected by 76% of respondents. The proportion of respondents admitting to stockpiling some supplies has fallen. Over half (51%) of respondents reported that they were stockpiling some supplies in April, this has now fallen to 32%.

Many respondents are concerned about the effect Brexit, and the continuing pre-Brexit limbo, is having on their clients and general confidence. There are also concerns about currency weakness, administration burdens and stockpiling complications and costs related to building up stocks, running them down and then building them up again in advance of the next deadline. Not to mention sheer frustration with the length of time this pre-Brexit period is lasting.

3. Automatic EORI registration

We’ve been keen to highlight the importance of registering for your EORI number if you trade with the EU, or plan to do so in future. Last week HMRC announced it is stepping up efforts to ensure businesses are ready to trade post-Brexit by automatically registering companies with EORI.  

Over the next two weeks, 88,000 companies will be allocated an EORI number, joining the 71,000 companies already registered.

Business who currently do not have an EORI number will receive a letter from HMRC over the next two weeks.

Traders also need to consider how they will make customs declarations and whether to apply for Transitional Simplified Procedures.

For more on EORI, check out the Importing and Exporting section of our Brexit pages.

4. Trade checklist

We’ve put together a handy checklist for those who intend to trade with the EU following Brexit.

5. Workforce planning – new CIPD Guide

The CIPD has published a guide to workforce planning for employers. It provides Managing Directors, Chief Executives, Finance Directors and HR professionals with a practical structure for determining their own Brexit resourcing strategies. It includes how to do scenario planning, take stock of key risks and consider contingency actions you might take in response. You can download this below. 

6. Government Steering Committee for Trade Continuity

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), of which the BPIF is a member, have secured a seat on the Department for International Trade’s new Expert Trade Advisory Group for Trade Agreement Continuity. The Group will advise Ministers and officials on continuity of trade for UK firms around the world post-Brexit. The BPIF will continue to supply information regarding the impact of Brexit on the printing industry to the CBI, to ensure the voice of print is heard as various trade negotiations progress.

7. Latest publications

We've trawled through the latest publications about Brexit of particular relevance to the printing industry.  

You can view these here. 

For further information, please contact Carys Davis, Public Affairs Adviser, at [email protected]