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Brexit consultation and grants for traders
The end of the Transition Period with the European Union on 31st December 2020 provides the UK with the opportunity to design a future border that will deliver maximum benefit to the UK and new border processes that will need to be understood, if supply chains are to continue to run.
On the 22nd June 2020, the UK Government published a public consultation to invite businesses and industries to share ideas and evidence to help develop a 2025 UK Border Strategy.
The goal is for this Strategy to transform the UK border into the world’s most effective and efficient by 2025.
It is intended that the future border is designed with the user in mind, hence the request for trades’ views on what is required.
This consultation follows the publication of the Border Operating Model on Monday 13 July that set out how businesses and industry can prepare for the end of the Transition Period.
Metro have a Brexit Task Force Team that have been constantly reviewing the UKs exit from the EU over the last two years and have developed a customs brokerage digital platform that will deliver reliable trading ability after the UKs full withdrawal 1st January 2021.
The consultation is not seeking views on the end of the Transition Period or preparations for leaving the EU’s Custom’s Union and Single Market. Rather it seeks to look ahead to the future and explore what major transformations the UK needs to deliver over the long-term to deliver the world’s most effective border by 2025.
Details of the consultation can be viewed HERE
Recognising the very real need for traders to prepare for leaving the EU’s Custom’s Union and Single Market, HMRC has extended the deadline for international trading and customs training funding.
With many traders making customs declarations for the first time from the 1st January, it is vital that they understand the role this crucial area plays in international trade and how declarations are prepared and submitted.
The government has re-opened grant funding towards helping businesses train staff in understanding customs declarations and the critical support provided by freight forwarders like Metro.
Applications are open until 30 June 2021 (or until all funding is allocated) and applicants must import from or export to the EU.
The limited funding is being used up quickly, so those interested in participating should apply sooner rather than later.
The grant provides up to 100% of the cost of training for employees, up to a limit of £1,500 per trainee.
The funding is being administered and can be applied for HERE