Daily Archives: March 31, 2021

Three months after Brexit began for real when the EU's rulebook stopped applying to the UK, many areas of life have noticed a difference.

The impact has been felt by both people and businesses -- although it has sometimes been hard to distinguish from the overwhelming impact of the pandemic.

British exports to the EU have been hardest hit by new border formalities, despite the last-minute deal struck in December ensuring tariff-free trade.

Although some sectors report improvements since the early chaos in January, they also say the problems run deeper than the "teething troubles" the UK government highlighted at the time.

Meanwhile, a further UK delay in imposing import checks on EU goods means European exporters have not been affected to the same extent.

Euronews examines the effect of the changes so far on several major sectors of the economy.

Official UK figures in March showed the UK recorded a record fall in trade with the EU in January, as the economy struggled with post-Brexit rules and the pandemic.

Goods exports plunged by 41% and imports by 29% as the UK's departure from the EU's single market had a major impact, as did additional bureaucracy and sometimes unexpected costs and taxes.

Figures released on March 18 by Ireland's Central Statistics Office said imports from Great Britain fell by 65% in January compared to a year earlier. Recent German figures showed imports from the UK dropped by 56%, while exports were down by nearly a third.

Trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland has also experienced new barriers under divorce deal arrangements designed to protect an open north-south border on the island of Ireland. The EU has begun legal action against the UK after the British government unilaterally extended a grace period on some food checks.

Euronews listed several examples of early problems food producers and other traders reported. An avalanche of cases airing similar grievances has followed: the pork exporter forced to spend an extra 4,000 per load that still got held up by customs; the Belgian supermarket now looking to Ireland instead of Britain for supplies; the UK beekeeper who can no longer import bees from the EU.

A UK parliamentary report on March 23 notes that UK food producers are facing new trade barriers with the EU in the form of health measures, extra paperwork, higher haulage costs and some "outright export bans".

Exports of some products such as seed potatoes have come to a halt, says the House of Lords EU Environment Sub-Committee. Small businesses in particular are suffering from red tape and transport costs. The lack of equivalence agreements is adding to friction, it finds.

An analysis published on March 23 by the UK Food and Drink Federation of a 75% fall in exports to the EU in January -- salmon collapsed by 98%, beef 91% -- cited COVID-19 and stockpiling. But it said much was "likely due to new non-tariff barriers". The FDF added that the "collapse in groupage movements" -- where different companies send goods in the same load -- had hit small and medium-sized firms in particular.

"Dismissing trade disruption at the borders as simply short term teething problems is no longer credible," says a Brexit Impact Report by the British Meat Processors Association. "British meat companies are painting a very different picture. They are reporting systemic weaknesses in the current export system, mountains of red tape and a potential permanent loss of trade of between 20 and 50 per cent."

Some bureaucratic demands are due to increase: for example, more export health certificates will be needed after grace periods end. The House of Lords committee warns that barriers to trade could become permanent unless the UK government takes action.

The UK wine trade has welcomed a second delay announced by the government on controversial import forms for EU wine from July until December 31, which the UK Wine and Spirit Association said would have brought "price hikes, permanently disrupted supply and drastically reduced consumer choice".

Deadlock over fishing rights was one of the main obstacles in post-Brexit trade negotiations, with the EU pushing to retain access to UK waters while London insisted on "taking back control".

But the deal brings many "long-term" barriers, the Lords report says, dismissing the government's description of early problems as temporary.

The impact of new demands for customs declarations and other paperwork hit UK exports immediately. Delays saw catch values halve and often made fresh fish shipments unviable.

UK environment minister George Eustice told a committee of MPs on March 25 that the EU's ongoing ban on the imports of live shellfish was unlikely to change. UK producers have been unable to sell mussels, oysters and scallops to the bloc -- and have been told to invest in purification material or seek new markets for frozen shellfish.

Cornwall Council in England and France's Brittany region have reportedly agreed to work together to facilitate shipments of British fish and seafood by ferry.

There was huge relief in the car industry on both sides of the English Channel when the Brexit trade deal was sealed, keeping the EU-UK market free of tariffs and quotas. A grace period over rules of origin -- delaying a requirement to declare where parts come from -- has also been welcomed, although this is due to expire at the end of 2021.

However, concern over the impact of non-tariff barriers on supply chains continued into the new year. "That does not mean zero cost," Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) told a House of Commons committee on February 23.

"I would characterise all the industry as paddling furiously below the water to keep things going," he went on. "In terms of general daytoday operations, moving parts in and out, it is difficult. The administration is significant... This is the new normal; we accept that. Ensuring the entire complexity of the supply chain can continue to operate is a major challenge."

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the ADS Group, had a similar message concerning aerospace and defence. Companies were experiencing "a daytoday battle to make the new arrangements work and to find their way through this," he told the committee, citing delays and extra transport costs.

He added that key parts of the industry "are not able to do business, and some of them are actually losing business", because of uncertainty over the future EU-UK relationship on aviation safety and regulation.

British manufacturers reported a near-record increase in supply chain disruption and rising costs, attributed to Brexit and the pandemic, in an IHS Markit/CIPS survey carried out in February.

"This disorder was primarily created by shipping delays, transportation shortages and customs border commotion. Though it was difficult to see clearly where COVID disruption ended and the Brexit muddle began," said Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.

Brussels gave an initial green light in February for personal data to continue to flow between the UK and the EU in the post-Brexit era. The European Commission's draft decision concluded that the UK's data protection regime complies with the EU's own flagship law.

Health organisations on both sides of the English Channel welcomed the move. EU recognition of the UK regime "is vital for the functioning of the European health sector," they said in a joint letter. "It determines everything from the delivery of cross border health and social care for thousands of European citizens to governing how health data is securely shared to advance research."

The fact that the export of medicines and medical devices continues tariff-free under the Brexit trade deal has also been welcomed.

However, last year the European pharmaceutical industry highlighted the importance of reaching a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) on inspections and batch testing as part of a trade deal. Agreement was struck on the former but not on the latter.

The UK has unilaterally waived batch testing requirements for products coming from the EU for two years. But the EU is still imposing testing on medicines going the other way.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has warned that this results in repeated testing "that complicates the supply chain and can delay the batch of medicine reaching patients for an average of 6 weeks and costs 1,500 per batch".

The Brexit deal contained only vague commitments on services and left financial services to a separate process.

The UK and the EU have reportedly reached a "memorandum of understanding" -- as had been expected by the end of March -- on future cooperation. It's thought it could help City of London firms regain some access to the EU lost when the UK left the EU's single market.

However, this goes nowhere near returning the full "passporting rights" giving blanket access to EU markets. And a decision on the lesser form of access -- given when the EU accepts a third country's regulation to be "equivalent" to its own -- rests in the hands of Brussels.

The immediate post-Brexit period in 2021 has seen a flight of share trading activity from the UK into the EU, while since the 2016 Brexit referendum hundreds of UK-based financial firms have moved at least some operations to the bloc.

Read this article:

Three months on, what impact has Brexit had on UK-EU trade? - Euronews

UK SME retailers are having to route goods through friends and family in the EU to cater to the single market as they struggle to stay afloat in a maze of post-Brexit red tape.

The owner of an independent record label said their LPs and singles were being sent direct from a Czech pressing plant to a relative in the Republic of Ireland to post on to customers in the EU because additional costs otherwise made the sales unviable.

VAT, admin, collection charges, plus postage and packaging, for a 20 (23.40) album runs to about 50, nearly double the labels owner told The Loadstar.

Compounding the issue, on 1 July the EU will introduce its e-commerce VAT package, aimed at simplifying VAT obligations for companies conducting cross-border sales.

For UK-based businesses, the new rule, in effect, puts them in a bind, as to sell into the EU, non-reclaimable VAT will be applied at the point of sale, potentially resulting in an exodus of SMEs and their associated jobs into the single market.

Mail order is vital, and while 55% of sales are to the UK, 25% of mail order sales are from EU customers which I do not see being made up elsewhere, said the labels owner.

Because of this new VAT rule, I will have to permanently hive-off part of the business by relocating to the Republic of Ireland. This means setting up another company, gaining the necessary sub-licences and having to carry on as best as possible.

According to the British Phonographic Institute, independent and major record labels contributed more than 1.1bn to the UK economy last year.While much of this was through streamed music, vinyl sales surged more than 30% year on year, with expectations that this year will be the first since 1987 in which vinyl sales exceed CDs.

And independent labels have been recognised as something of a success story for the UK, with a collective contribution of roughly a third of total record sales.

These are really successful British companies that have been building up since the 1990s and have taken advantage of the two things that helped the internet and the single market, said the owner.

Describing the situation as ridiculous, the owner said rather than helping British business Brexit was simply an opportunity for multinationals to cement their market positions.

When asked if the company had received any government support the owner said:I very much doubt this government are going to do anything except say something like we recognise UK businesses need help for the new tariff- and duty-free rules and regulations, so weve set up a website explaining what they need to do, blah blah blah

Its such a stupid situation and theres no way out.

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UK 'success story' SMEs struggle to stay afloat in a maze of post-Brexit red tape - theloadstar.com

The Festival of Britain in 1951 was conceived as a celebration of Britains victory in the war and a symbol of leadership to the empire, as well as a commemoration of the centenary of the Great Exhibition. Its actual form, as developed under a Labour government, was very different. Prompted in 1945 by an open letter from the editor of the News Chronicle, Gerald Barry, to Sir Stafford Cripps, president of the Board of Trade, it soon morphed into a celebration of British achievements in design, the arts, science and industry.

Along the way the press grumbled: it was a waste of money; it was the work of a small elite. Barry, who was put in charge of the event, pressed on. He decided it should be joyful: a year of fun, fantasy and colour, a year in which we can, while soberly surveying our great past and our promising future, for once let ourselves go. It was to be a tonic to the nation. Now, perhaps, it is best remembered for its mood of optimism against a backdrop of austerity, and the quality of artists associated with it, from Lucienne Day and Barbara Jones to Edward Bawden and Laurie Lee. The last was particularly important in steering the tone of the event away from pomposity and towards a gentle self-deprecation the kind of wry, fond, anti-patriotic patriotism that the British used to be so good at before po-faced Tories started grimly hoisting union flags at every opportunity.

All of which is interesting to consider in light of the latest announcement from Festival UK 2022. As soon as it was announced by the former prime minister Theresa May in 2018, it was written off by many as a jingoistic festival of Brexit. Some cultural figures declared that it ought to be boycotted. But it should be given a chance to be judged by its results.

While it is naive to imagine that any creative gesture can possibly be apolitical, the festivals leadership speaks for itself: the organisation is run by Martin Green, who oversaw the London 2012 Olympics ceremonies and ran Hulls year as city of culture in 2017, and chaired by Dame Vikki Heywood, a former chief executive of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Now the teams of creatives who are developing projects have been announced. With participants including historian David Olusoga, the Turner prize-winning collective Assemble, the astrophysics department at Queens University Belfast, the National Theatre of Wales and the British Antarctic Survey, it seems particularly hard to imagine that the festival will be an exercise in tub-thumping.

In fact, just as the Festival of Britain changed substantially between conception and realisation, so will Festival UK 2022. It will take place in the wake of Covid-19, a trauma unimaginable when Mrs May announced the event. Among the many consequences of the pandemic, the UK itself the organising principle of the festival has been called more seriously into question than ever before. It will be fascinating to observe how the event will act as a mirror for the anxieties and preoccupations, as well as talents and ideas, of its creators.

Whether it will be any good or not, whether it will fail or succeed, is now in the hands of its leadership and those who are developing its projects. The Manchester Guardians Philip Hope-Wallace described the Festival of Britain as heady and sparkling just the tonic we were needing. One can only hope that the same will be said of 2022s festival.

This article was amended on 30 March 2021. An earlier version mistakenly referred to Eric Ravilious, instead of his friend Edward Bawden, as one of the artists associated with the Festival of Britain.

Continued here:

The Guardian view on the 'festival of Brexit': judge it on its results - The Guardian

Delphiniums, lupins and other hardy perennials are hard to come by. Roses, fruit trees and house plants are in short supply. As for garden furniture, and equipment, if you think you can walk into a garden centre today and buy whatever you desire, think again.

Garden retailers across the UK are facing a perfect storm of Brexit and the pandemic, according to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). Demand is two to three times higher than normal, thanks to the extra three million people who have taken up gardening during lockdown. Meanwhile, supply has fallen by around 50% over the past year.

British garden wholesalers, already hit hard by global supply chain issues, social distancing measures and a shortage of migrant workers, are now battling with new red tape around plant imports from the EU. Throw in Brexit-related congestion at British ports and a giant container ship blocking the Suez canal and you end up with a shortage of plants and patio furniture and a lot of disappointed gardeners.

Its the biggest year for demand in the industrys history, without a doubt, combined with the most complicated supply issues ever, says Boyd Douglas-Davies, president of the HTA and director of British Garden Centres, a group of 58 retailers. Ive been working in garden centres for 35 years. Im born and bred into it. And this is, without a doubt, the most challenging supply year that weve ever seen.

Plants from Europe are now subject to health inspections in the EU. Importers must also notify the British government of their intention to bring those plants into the country before they arrive, and their goods can be subject to ad hoc health inspections in the UK as well.

Douglas-Davies estimates that since Brexit it can take up to 48 hours longer for plants to arrive from Belgium and the Netherlands. You might say thats not very long. But of course, thats 48 hours on a lorry. Thats not where plants are destined to be.

One importer lost all his plants from Portugal after a flight was cancelled due to the pandemic and low demand for holidays to Britain, followed by a Brexit-induced plant inspection in the UK, which wouldnt have happened last year. The delay of two days meant when they finally arrived, the plants were dead.

Brexit complications are also affecting orchids, indoor figs, yuccas and other foliage plants. Almost all of the house plants sold in the UK are grown in Holland or Belgium. Gardening tools and watering equipment also tends to come from Europe. Those are also subject to further delays and increased costs, Douglas-Davies says.

Garden furniture and equipment such as mini greenhouses are in particularly short supply, he says. People are rushing to prepare their gardens for long-awaited reunions with family and friends, which will be permitted in private gardens again when the outdoor rule of six is reinstated in England on Monday. As quickly as furniture arrives, its already been sold and goes straight to customers. Its selling out very, very quickly.

Most garden furniture and equipment is made abroad and shipped to the UK on a schedule decided six months ago. The tremendous demand to sit outside in the early spring was not anticipated then. Plus, the ports are clogged up with unwanted goods that were imported for retailers that collapsed during lockdown and the port congestion which began on 1 January has continued. That really stems from a Brexit issue. There are delays and it is taking about a fortnight longer than usual to ship products to the UK.

David Green is the founder of Chapel Cottage Plants, a hardy perennial grower in Cambridgeshire. He says: Brexit is causing major problems. Because its very difficult to get plants into the UK, the British grower is overwhelmed with demand.

Garden centres are requesting six to 10 times as many plants as they normally would in March, even when there was high demand. British weather means it is impossible for local growers to fulfil all these orders, especially because last year after the industry was brought to a standstill by the closure of garden centres during lockdown everyone was frightened to invest, says Green. As a result, supply to retailers has remained weak. He estimates garden centres and nurseries are receiving around half the plants they normally would.

Meanwhile, he is sitting on about 1.5 million units of homegrown British perennial plants, praying for a warm April. Im just hoping they soon become large and saleable plants.

The problem Green faces then is getting enough labour to process them. Weve struggled with labour terribly due to Brexit reducing the amount of foreign labour coming in. Unskilled British labour is very difficult to find for cleaning and processing the plants, ready to package for the garden centre. Normally, we would employ eastern Europeans.

Green is using three recruitment companies and has only managed to fill half the quota he requires: 40 workers, instead of 80. This has already brought down his sales by as much as 50% this season, he estimates. We know the demand is there, but were unable to fill it.

See the original post here:

All is not rosy for UK gardens as Brexit hits supplies and Covid hikes demand - The Guardian

A French body advising young people on their opportunities says French au pair agencies are no longer arranging any placements for young French people in the UK.

This is because of strict new post-Brexit work visa requirements, which do not suit au pair work.

The head of European and international matters at the Centre dinformation et de documentation jeunesse (CIDJ), Valrie Montembault, said: "The problem is there is no au pair status provided for in the UKs new immigration rules and if you go for less than six months [without a visa] you have no right to work.

So the agencies are not sending any more au pairs to the UK. They are sending some to the Netherlands, a few to Malta maybe, but none to the UK.

Of course the UK was the most popular before to improve their English.

Young people looked for a place where people speak an English that is accessible and with an accent that theyve learned at school. In Malta for example people speak Maltese as well. They preferred the UK also because its very easy to get to with the Eurostar."

She said au pairs who she said mostly work for their board and lodging plus pocket money are not really comparable to other full-time salaried workers, but agencies do not want to risk sending them for under six months in a tourist capacity because they do nonetheless receive money, plus there would be problems for their insurance cover and health and social security.

Previously under EU rules there were reciprocal social security arrangements and a recognised status, she said.

She said a UK work visa is now impossible for anyone earning less than a full-time minimum wage in the UK (a UK body bringing over au pairs from France has told The Connexion a minimum salary of 20,000 is being required).

Those coming to the UK on work visas also now have to pay a 624/year health surcharge in order to join the NHS (or 470 for those on student visas), however anyone coming to be an au pair in an 'unofficial' capacity (eg. for less than six months) could face issues over their cover or have to take private insurance, Ms Montembault said.

She added it is possible that families in the UK will still directly advertise for au pairs on the internet, perhaps just offering lodging, but there will be no more official placements via agencies because it would be too risky in view of the lack of a clear status (and it would be impossible for more than six months).

Perhaps something will be done to resolve this, it is still early and we understand some discussions are still taking place, but for the moment its not the case, she said.

The CIDJ has local structures around France, advising young people about their options, including for work and study abroad. It is also part of European youth information network Eurodesk.

Read more from the original source:

Brexit: Au pairs from France will not be sent to UK in 2021 - The Connexion

Almost one in four small businesses which export goods have temporarily stopped shipping to the EU since the end of the Brexit transition period, a survey has found.

Close to a third (32 per cent) have lost goods in transit, and an even greater proportion (34 per cent) have had goods held indefinitely at EU border crossings. Of those that have experienced delays, 36 per cent have suffered hold-ups that lasted more than two weeks.

The Federation of Small Businesses surveyed 1,483 firms between 1 and 15 March. It found that seven in 10 importers and exporters suffered shipment delays when moving goods around the EU in recent weeks.

Around one in 25 have decided to stop selling into the EU permanently after new trading rules came into force at the start of this year, the poll suggested. And some 23 per cent have temporarily stopped sending goods to the trading bloc.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said some exporters have established, or are considering setting up a presence within an EU country to ease their exporting processes.

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One in 10 are thinking about securing warehousing space in the EU or Northern Ireland, said the report.

Most importers and/or exporters have suffered shipment delays when moving goods around the EU in recent weeks, said the FSB, with one in three losing goods in transit or having goods held indefinitely at EU border crossings.

FSB chairman Mike Cherry said: "At a moment when small firms are doing all we can to return to growth and get our economy firing on all cylinders again, those that do business internationally are being hit with some incredibly demanding, unfamiliar paperwork.

"Three months on from the end of the transition period, what we hoped would prove to be teething problems are in danger of becoming permanent, systemic ones.

"While larger firms have the resources and bandwidth to overcome them regardless, smaller traders are struggling, and considering whether exports are worth the effort any more.

"Unless more is done to ease the admin burden on those that do business overseas, and increase access to markets outside the EU, it will weigh heavy on our efforts to recover from the most severe downturn on record."

Originally posted here:

Brexit: One in four small export businesses have stopped selling to the EU, poll finds - The Independent

Some British expats are "deliberately" ignoring orders to leave Spain despite new Brexit laws meaning those living unregistered face deportation, it has been claimed.

The EU country's authorities have made it clear that rules on residency will change from tomorrow amid unconfirmed reports police in the Costas are ready to boot out 500 'illegal' UK citizens.

Chair of campaign group Bremain in Spain said many are still "burying their heads in the sand" despite the tourist visa deadline approaching in a matter of hours.

She told the Local: The clock is ticking, yet there are still Brits deliberately planning to overstay their welcome.

"They are burying their heads in the sand and assuming well be treated differently from other third country nationals, simply because we are British.

Are you an expat living in Spain whose affected by the changes? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

I fear many that have ignored the warnings of the consequences of exceeding a 90-day stay are in for a rude awakening."

Spain is clamping down on those who breach the rules on tourist visas, which allow non-nationals to remain for 90 days in every 180-day stretch.

In the past, many have remained beyond the limit and stayed under the radar, avoiding paying taxes.

But under the Withdrawal Agreement, anyone unregistered could be fined or even banned from returning - while criteria for applying for full-time residency has been upped.

Downing Street said its Spanish counterparts are adamant claims police are ready to take action are exaggerated and anyone turned down for residency can remain while they reapply.

The Foreign Office added UK nationals' who are already legally registered to live in Spain prior to January 1 can remain and are protected by law.

Of the 300,000 Brits currently living in the Spanish Costa islands, including the 'Sunshine Coast' of Costa del Sol, a small proportion are estimated to be at genuine risk of deportation.

John Price and Elaine Wilson are among those whose residency application was rejected, and say they are now "on tenterhooks".

They claim it failed because they had not bought private medical insurance before the end of 2020 when the transition phase of Brexit ended.

Ms Wilson, 53, the delay was due to her waiting for the all-clear on her breast cancer, and said they were previously advised they had until March 31.

Mr Price, 51, told the Times : "We dont know if we face fines, a bad stamp in our passports and being banned from entering the Schengen area."

Spain has been rolling out a new system to register permanent foreign residents with biometric cards called TIE but due to so many requests the process has ground to a halt.

Worried Brits have taken to Facebook to ask for advice as they wait for their cards to be processed.

Julie Van P said last night her son's TIE application was sent on December 9 to Almeria and was put into the system seven days later.

But since then there's been "no change from 'in progress'" since then, she said.

She said an agent has since told them the office were still dealing with applications received on December 1.

"Has anyone else using Almeria city experienced similar delays?" she asked. "Its a constant cause of worry."

Moira Carmenate, of the Expat Centre in Costa Blanca South, said the confusing Spanish system has baffled many vulnerable Brits.

She said many elderly people don't have access to social media and have been "unaware of the recent and ongoing changes".

This leaves Brits vulnerable and at the mercy of hearsay, I really feel for them," she added.

Anthony Cook, from Cardiff, is among those who must head back to the UK as the new regulations "have made it impossible to stay", he told Global247News.

More:

Brit expats ignoring post-Brexit orders to leave Spain and risk deportation - Mirror Online

5 min read30 March

Exclusive: Music industry leaders have urged ministersto give financial help to performers who areunable to take bookingsin the European Union due to post-Brexit touring restrictions.

The havewarned that musicians are "having to cancel tours or turn down work" on a daily basis.

UK Musicwrote to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden on Monday asking him to disclose how negotiations with EU countries over potentially removing restrictions on touring were going.

Boris Johnsontold the Liaison Committee last week that the government was working "flat out" to address the problems faced by musicians and was having "plenty of conversations" with EU governments.

However, the Prime Minister did not reveal details of which countries the government had spoken to or when. The Musicians' Union's Naomi Pohl saidtheindustry hadn't received a single progress report from the government and had seen "no evidence of any bilateral negotiations".

Urging the Department for Media, Culture & Sport (DCMS) to reveal the state of talks, the letter seen by PoliticsHomesaid:"The more we know about the status and direction of your bilateral talks, the better we will be able to reinforce the work you are doing with our own lobbying efforts.

"We would therefore kindly request regular progress updates on these bilateral negotiations that the Prime Minister referred to, so we can better understand how to support them as effectively as possible".

The music industry is urging the governmenttonegotiate away post-Brexit barriers to European touring before the expected return of live performances on the continentlater in the year.

The cumbersome new rules for UK musicians, actors and performers mean theyand their crewsmustsecurework permits and other costly documentationto work in some EU countries.

They also mean hauliers which carrytheir equipment arelimited to just three stops in thebloc before returning to the UK, which the industry says will maketouring on the continent impossible.

In the letter to Dowden, UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin saidevent organisers in Europe hadstarted making bookings forlater in the yearand that "the prospect of costly visas and work permits for certain countries is already forcing cancellations" on British artists.

"Every day, we hear heartbreaking stories from musicians who are having to cancel tours or turn down work in Europe because the cost of EU visas and work permits makes those opportunities unviable," he told the Cabinet minsiter.

"Some are now having to rely on government welfare support instead of expected performing opportunities.

"I am sure you will agree that a European concert hall paying a British musician to perform is preferable to the British state subsidising them to be silent. It is in our countrys economic and well as cultural interest for us to enable our brilliant musical performers to work internationally".

The letter said the industry was encouraged to hear Johnson lastweek tell the committee of senior MPs that the government "must fix" the problems facing the UK's touring performers.

The Prime Minister said "I totally share the frustration of the sector" and"we must get it totally sorted out," describing the creative industries as a "massively important part of our economy".

However, in the meantime ministersmust give financial supportto performers to help them deal withthenew costs associated withplanning European gigs, the letter said, adding that there was a "compelling case" for them toreceivesupport akin to the financial package created for the fishing industry."While the engagement process with member states takes place, we will need to support musicians that are facing increased costs and help them adjust to what we must hope are temporary barriers. It is therefore vital that government urgently introduce a transition touring fund, that can help musicians and crews with the costs and admin of the new barriers they face," it said.

"In January, the Government introduced a 23m fund to help the fishing industry in 'adjusting to new requirements for exporting'.

"Given the challenges the music industry is currently facing, there is a very compelling case for a similar approach to be taken here, not least given the 5.8 billion economic contribution it makes to the economy in normal times".

The UK music industry generated 2.9bn in exports in 2019, with an estimated 20,000 performers by British artists in EU member states, the letter to Dowdenstressed.

There was no agreement for touring performers in the UK-EUtrade deal struck in December, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of protection forthe industry in the treaty.

The industry is particularly concerned about Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Bulgaria. British performers are set to need permits or visas to work in all fourwhen international touring resumes.

It is not just up-and-coming performers with limited financial means who are set to be impacted by the post-Brexit barriers.

The National Theatre last monthtoldPoliticsHomeit had binnedplans to tourThe Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Timearound Europe after the pandemic due to the cost of the newrules, while New Order's managerwarnedthe iconic band might be forced to skip the continent.

The letter urgedthe government to ensure "the UKs world-leading music industry can continue to be the global success story post-Brexit that it has been for decades.

"In addition to the huge economic and social contribution it makes, the UK music industry boosts our global reputation and plays an intrinsic part in our core national identity.

"It is a sector that should not just be protected, but actively championed and promoted".

A UK government spokesperson said:Weve always been clear that the end of freedom of movement would have implications for professional mobility. However we're working across government and with industry, including through a DCMS-led working group which includes UK Music, on plans to support cultural and creative professionals who temporarily work in the EU.

"The working group will provide new guidance to help artists understand what's required in different countries. We will also be engaging with Member States on the issue and looking carefully at proposals for a new Export Office that could provide further practical help".

Continued here:

Musicians Forced To Cancel EU Gigs "Every Day" Due To Brexit Demand Financial Support From Government - PoliticsHome

Brexit: UK 'can be a global trading nation without EU' says MP

Without a post-Brexit agreement signed on the matter, up to 3,000 people could lose their driving licences after the French government announced all British expats must exchange their UK licence with a French one. This means some commuters risk losing their jobs while some expats who live in France may be forced to move back to the UK. Although some expats have applied to exchange their licence, the French system has rejected them on the grounds no post-Brexit agreement has been confirmed.

France failed to agree a post-Brexit licence agreement and has been hit by an overload of applications, meaning some may lose their driving licence in the next few months.

Amid the pressure on UK expats, the Government has indicated it is working to agree a deal with France, The Guardian reports.

Without a valid licence, drivers could face a 12,808 fine, while if forced to take a driving test in the country, the theory must be done in French.

In a Facebook group for expats living in France, Kim Cranstoun described the situation which is affecting British nationals as a nightmare.

She said: "Id say there are 3,000 who are seriously worried for whom this has really become nightmarish,

"Commuters risk losing their jobs, tradespeople cant work, elderly people have missed medical appointments.

"Many British people in France live in quite remote, rural areas, with little or no public transport.

"Some are thinking of moving back to the UK. Its quite desperate."

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06:45am update: Brexit deal goes to court: Rebels secure landmark challenge on EU's hated NI protocol

A LANDMARK legal challenge against the Northern Ireland Protocol is scheduled to be heard on May 13 - setting up a potentially explosive moment in the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU.

The NI Protocol aims to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland by ensuring Northern Ireland continues to adhere to some of the EUs rules and regulations - but critics including DUP leader Arlene Foster say as a result it has created a border down the Irish Sea instead.

A group of Brexiteers including former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib and Jim Allister QC, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party, have been pushing for a judicial review into the legality of the arrangements.

Last week they launched a crowdfunding page to raise money to cover its costs.

05:30am update: Julie Walters warned of working-class 'revolution' before dubbing Brexit 'disastrous blow'

JULIE WALTERS warned of a "working-class revolution" before she claimed Brexit was a "disastrous blow" to the nation.

The Harry Potter actress is one of the nations most beloved stars and returns to TV screens tonight in the ITV show For The Love Of Britain.

She rose to fame in Educating Rita in the Eighties before forging an impressive career with films including Billy Elliot, Calendar Girls and Mamma Mia!.

The 71-year-old has also been an outspoken critic of Brexit and feared ramifications of Britain leaving the European Union.

04:15am update: 'Brexit is about democracy!' Vine guest slams Owen Jones in tense driving license row

OWEN JONES was slammed for claiming consequences of Brexit is "a lot of bureaucracy" and form-filling.

Journalist Sherelle Jacobs hit out at the Guardian columnist for his claims against Brexit while discussing reports of Britons seeing their driving rights threatened because of bureaucratic changes.

Ms Jacobs insisted that Brexit is about "taking back our democracy" rather than having a deal with the European Union on licences and free movement.

Speaking on the Jeremy Vine show, Mr Jones said: "One of the consequences of Brexit is a lot of bureaucracy.

03:00am update: Brexit snub: Ten EU states refuse to extradite their criminals to UK - letter exposes shun

SEVERAL EU member states will no longer extradite their nationals to the UK to face criminal action because of Brexit.

France, Germany and Poland have told the Home Office of their refusal to allow the extradition of their nationals.

Meanwhile, Austria and the Czech Republic will only hand over suspects to the UK with their permission.

The European Arrest Warrant was introduced in 2004 and obliged member states to arrest and transfer suspects to countries where they were wanted.

02:15am update: Leading economist tells Boris to tear up EU rules to turbocharge Brexit Britain's victory

BRITAIN has been told to stop "doing things the EU way" if the UK wants to succeed outside of the European Union.

The EU has been widely criticised for its glacial rollout as just 11.3 percent of people over the age of 18 have received their first dose of a vaccine, according to yesterday's figures. Only 4.9 percent of people have received both jabs of a vaccine.

Whereas, more than 30 million people in the UK have received at least one jab of a vaccine.

Following the EU's disastrous handling of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, Richard Bootle, one of the City's leading economists, said the UK will succeed outside the EU if it stops "doing things the EU way".

01:15am update: Pound increases gains against euro as Brexit Britain's economy reopens after jab success

THE POUND has continued to gain against the euro as the UK's vastly successful vaccine rollout scheme allows the economy to reopen.

It rose on yesterdays high by 0.2 percent to make a euro worth 85.32 pence. As recently as last December a euro was worth 90 pence.

Commenting on the pounds recent strong performance, an expert put the jump down to Britain's vaccination rollout and the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions.

Stuart Cole, chief macro strategist at Equiti Capital, said: "The sterling outlook remains positive, the combination of continued vaccinations, lifting of lockdown restrictions and rising yields all converging to support the pound."

12:15am update: Can you retire to Spain after Brexit?

THE BREXIT transition period officially ended in January which means rules around living abroad have changed dramatically.

Spain is one of the most popular destinations for retirees from Britain. There are now more than 360,000 British citizens registered as residents in Spain according to official Spanish figures.

The average age of a British expatriate living in the country is 45, having been 50 and over before 2020. But can you retire to Spain after Brexit?

11:30pm update: EU vaccine fury: Brexiteer rage as 'Brussels slimeballs' AGAIN threaten UK with export ban

EU "SLIMEBALLS" have threatened to block vaccine exports to Britain again, a Brexit campaign group has blasted.

EU commissioner Thierry Breton said the UK was totally dependent on the bloc for vaccines as he hinted a blockade was still on the cards.

The French europhiles outburst came just days after the EU spectacularly backtracked on a proposed ban after it threatened to spark a trade war with the UK.

Mr Breton appears to have learned nothing from the spat, arrogantly insisting "the British are unable to conduct vaccination policy on their own".

Oliver Trapnell takes over fromPaul Withers

8pm update: UK 'true friend' of Ireland, not EU! Irish leaders warned about bloc after 'vaccine offer'

The UK's vaccine offer shows that Britain is "Ireland's true friend" not the European Union, Sammy Wilson, the DUP's Brexit spokesman has claimed.

The former minister of finance in the Northern Ireland Assembly commented in the Newsletter that because the UK is reportedly willing to send millions of vaccine doses to Ireland, it should be clear that Britain "is Irelands true friend".

Mr Wilson was speaking following a Sunday Times report that a scheme is being planned to offer 3.7 million Covid jabs to Ireland.

The Sunday Times quoted an anonymous cabinet source close to the Government, and said this move would be the first time the UK exported vaccines to an EU nation.

Mr Wilson said that the UK's move to help Dublin with a shipment of millions of vaccines should make them question who their genuine friends are.

6.15pm update:Sturgeon's shameless bid to woo Brussels: SNP leader sent 31 Christmas cards to EU chiefs

Nicola Sturgeon has flooded EU Commission officials with more Christmas cards than their UK Government counterparts, the Express can reveal.

Freedom of Information requests reveal the Scottish First Minister sent 29 cards to European Commission officials compared to just two cards to UK Government colleagues last year.

Records reveal Ms Sturgeon sent cards to top diplomats including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Head of the Taskforce for Relations with the United Kingdom Michel Barnier.

The Scottish First Minister also sent cards to the Prime Minister of Belgium and Iceland along with 59 members of the United States Congress.

German Europe Minister Michael Roth and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also received penned festive messages from the SNP leader.

4.50pm update:Macron recruits VDL in bid to class Britain a 'rogue state' in latest Brexit punishment

France is pushing for Britain to be classed as a "rogue state" in revenge for Brexit, insiders have warned.

President Emmanuel Macron wants the UK to be treated with the same level of suspicion as Russia, China and Iran.

He has secured the backing of top eurocrat Ursula von der Leyen, who has ordered officials to draw up plans to exclude British scientists from cutting-edge tech projects in collaboration with the bloc.

But a host of EU nations have launched a rebellion against the plot, insisting it would be foolish to shut out UK experts out of spite for Brexit.

One friendly EU diplomat fumed: You cant just put the UK in the same box as China and Iran.

President Macron has enlisted the help of French commissioner Thierry Breton to ensure British, Swiss and Israeli experts are no longer allowed to take part in European science projects.

The pair fear our boffins could leak sensitive information on supercomputers, with military and space applications, to outside power blocks, according to a diplomatic note, seen by Express.co.uk

3.45pm update:Britons now worrying less about Brexit - poll

Britons are now much less worried about Brexit than previously just a matter of weeks after the UK cut all ties with the EU.

Ipsos MORI interviewed 1,009 people from March 5-11.

Respondents were questioned over the big issues they considered for the country, with coronavirus dropping to 49 percent from 72 percent in February, although it remained the single biggest concern.

Brexit fell down the list of worries and was mentioned as a concern by 26 percent of respondents - its joint-lowest level since the EU referendum in June 2016.

3.30pm update: 'Like a little kid!' EU's latest vaccine threats to UK torn apart by Frexit campaigner

Eurocrats' relentless threats to the UK over bans on vaccine exports sparked the furious reaction of Frexit campaigner Charles-Henri Gallois.

The Generation Frexit leader lashed out against French MEP Pascal Canfin after he claimed London will be in a "very complicated" situation next month over vaccine supplies. The Renew MEP is Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment and Public Health.

Writing in Le Figaro, Mr Canfin said Europe is "now ready to block exports of AstraZeneca vaccines to the United Kingdom until the company closes its delivery delays".

The comments infuriated Mr Gallois who took to Twitter to lambast the MEP.

He wrote: "Eurofanatics have still not supported the #BrexitFlag of United Kingdom.

"We can hardly be more hateful.

"He looks like the little kid who hasn't done his homework and is trying to cheat."

Paul Withers taking over live reporting from Bill McLoughlin.

2.50pm update: 'Are you sneering at the flag?' Susanna Reid skewers Owen Jones on GMB over Union Flag

Susanna Reid grilled Owen Jones on whether he was "sneering" at the Union Jack during a tense exchange on ITV's Good Morning Britain.

Owen Jones told ITV that he respected the flag and the importance of it to the British people. The political commentator added that he did not feel the current UK Government cannot protect their own people.

Ms Reid said: "Owen Jones, you stand accused of sneering at the flag, how do you respond?"

Mr Jones replied: "No, I think about my granddad who was amongst those who helped save this country from a Nazi invasion and helped save Europe from the Nazis.

"He was at sea, he was bombed twice with that flag flying above him and he was on an open boat.

"People like that fought for our rights and freedoms, I know how much the flag means to people."

2pm update:French MEP orders Brussels to open its eyes - 'London hasn't collapsed after Brexit!'

The rest is here:

Bitter Macron targets thousands of UK expats in France - new papers rejected - Daily Express

The deal reached between HM Government and the European Union on December 24, 2020, does not include any framework for the coordination and mutual recognition of cross-border insolvencies and restructurings. For the purposes of insolvency law, the deal represents a "Hard Brexit."

Therefore, following Brexit, UK insolvency proceedings no longer benefit from automatic recognition across the European Union pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of the European Parliament ("EU Insolvency Regulation"), and vice versa (save for those proceedings commenced prior to December 31, 2020). UK insolvency proceedings commenced after December 31, 2020, will, where necessary, need to be recognized in each relevant EU Member State.

Without the benefit of mutual recognition, cross-border insolvency proceedings involving both the European Union and the United Kingdom will undoubtedly become more complex, time-consuming, and expensive as stakeholders, advisers, and insolvency practitioners seek to navigate this new landscape. In many situations, parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions may now be required. Going forward, it is hoped that a new framework for the mutual recognition of insolvency proceedings can be agreed between the European Union and the United Kingdom. However, in the short term at least, notwithstanding the increased levels of financial distress and insolvency proceedings that are likely to follow as and when government support programs in the United Kingdom and Europe are withdrawn, mutual recognition of insolvency proceedings does not appear to be a high priority for the European Union and the United Kingdom at this time.

The Status Quo

Before the transition period ended on December 31, 2020, the United Kingdom enjoyed the benefit of the EU Insolvency Regulation. The EU Insolvency Regulation provides, inter alia, a framework for the automatic and mandatory recognition of insolvency proceedings between Member States of the European Union (excluding Denmark). The EU Insolvency Regulation also determines the applicable law in the case of cross-Member State insolvency proceedings.

The New Landscape

Outbound UK Insolvency Proceedings. Following Brexit and the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020, insolvency proceedings involving both an EU Member State and the United Kingdom are now in a rather different position.

If a UK insolvency proceeding requires recognition in the European Union, the company or relevant insolvency practitioner will need to seek recognition in each EU Member State where it is considered expedient to do so. In each casewith the exception of Greece, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia, which have each adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency ("Model Law")the availability of recognition and the terms thereof will depend on any applicable terms for the recognition of a third country under the EU Insolvency Regulation or local laws for the recognition of foreign insolvency proceedings in each relevant Member State. Where a UK insolvency proceeding has been commenced in the United Kingdom, but an EU Member State considers that the center of main interests ("COMI") of the relevant entity is in the European Union, the EU Insolvency Regulation will continue to apply without regard to the UK proceeding.

Schemes and Restructuring Plans. For schemes of arrangement and the new restructuring plan, it was generally considered (but never tested) that the recognition of such proceedings across the European Union fell under the ambit of Regulation (EU) 1215/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (recast) ("EU Judgments Regulation"). Following December 31, 2020, the EU Judgments Regulation has also ceased to apply to the United Kingdom, and therefore the United Kingdom and European Union will no longer benefit from mutual recognition of civil judgments.

As an alternative to the EU Judgments Regulation, there are a number of different routes pursuant to which English schemes and restructuring plans may be recognized in Europe. These routes include the Hague Convention and Regulation (EC) No. 593/2008 of the European Parliament ("Rome I"), both of which continue to apply to the United Kingdom and the European Union in the context of civil proceedings. The Hague Convention provides for the recognition of exclusive jurisdiction clauses where both contracting parties have agreed to the exclusive jurisdiction of a contracting state. Similarly, Rome I seeks to uphold and recognize the governing law of a contract as agreed between contracting parties. Like the EU Judgments Regulation, the application of the Hague Convention and Rome I have not as yet been tested in respect of schemes and restructuring plans.

Going forward, the United Kingdom has applied to join the Lugano Convention. Parties to the Lugano Convention include the European Union, Switzerland, and Norway. The Lugano Convention provides a framework for the recognition of civil law judgments between contracting states in a similar way to the EU Judgments Regulation. Given the generally accepted principle that schemes sanctioned by the English court constitute civil law judgments, it was anticipated that the Lugano Convention would provide an alternative route for the recognition of schemes and restructuring plans within the European Union and beyond.

However, in the recent case of Re gategroup Guarantee Limited [2021] EWHC 304 (Ch), the English High Court held that a restructuring plan constituted a bankruptcy proceeding and therefore fell outside the scope of the Lugano Convention. There are a number of distinguishing features between a scheme and a restructuring plan, and in coming to its decision, the court placed great emphasis on these differences. In particular, while a company may propose a scheme irrespective of its financial state, in order to propose a restructuring plan: (i) the company must have encountered, or is likely to encounter, financial difficulties that are affecting, or will or may affect, its ability to carry on business as a going concern; and (ii) the purpose of the restructuring plan must be to eliminate, reduce, prevent, or mitigate the effect of any of the financial difficulties noted in (i) above. Accordingly, the context in which a restructuring is proposed could be entirely different for a scheme or a restructuring plan and may justify the potential classification of a restructuring plan as a bankruptcy proceeding, but not a scheme. While the decision in Re gategroup does not directly affect schemes, this decision does create greater uncertainty as to the basis for recognition of both schemes and restructuring plans in Europe. Further, it may follow that restructuring plans will now similarly fall within the bankruptcy exception to the Hague Convention, thereby further limiting the available frameworks for the recognition of restructuring plans in Europe.

Inbound EU Insolvency Proceedings. Any EU insolvency proceedings commenced after December 31, 2020, will similarly cease to benefit from automatic mutual recognition in the United Kingdom. However, there are a number of different routes in the United Kingdom pursuant to which foreign companies and officeholders can seek recognition in the United Kingdom of foreign insolvency proceedings. These routes include:

The grant of recognition and/or the provision of assistance pursuant to one of the above routes does not replicate the same terms as are applicable under the EU Insolvency Regulation. However, such frameworks: (i) do provide a clear and tested procedure for recognition of foreign proceedings; and (ii) are not dependent on there being reciprocal arrangements in place for the recognition of English insolvency proceedings. The existing regime in the United Kingdom will therefore undoubtedly assist foreign companies and insolvency practitioners in coordinating cross-border insolvency matters involving UK companies and/or assets.

For money judgments only, the Administration of Justice Act 1920 and the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement Act) 1933 each provide a regime for the recognition of debt claims. However, utilization of such regimes is dependent on equivalent arrangements being available to assist UK parties in the jurisdiction seeking the assistance of the English court.

The Rule in Gibbs. As a matter of English law, a contract governed by English law may be amended, discharged, or otherwise compromised pursuant to an English proceeding only, unless the relevant counterparty has submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the foreign proceeding. Submission to the jurisdiction of a foreign proceeding can occur in a number of ways, including a creditor submitting a proof of debt or voting in the relevant foreign proceeding.

Prior to December 31, 2020, the Rule in Gibbs was not applied while the United Kingdom was subject to the EU Insolvency Regulation. However, post-Brexit, contracts governed by English law will need to be carefully considered by all stakeholders in the context of any restructuring proceeding that attempts to compromise the rights of creditors with English law-governed contracts without such creditors submitting to the laws of the relevant jurisdiction.

In practice, a foreign proceeding that seeks to compromise the rights of creditors pursuant to an English law-governed contract may still (subject to the eligibility criteria being satisfied) be recognized in the United Kingdom, for instance pursuant to the CBIR. However, recognition does not mean that the English courts will be prepared to enforce the terms of the foreign proceeding on a creditor who has not submitted to the jurisdiction of the foreign court. This is a different and complicated question that will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Jurisdiction of English Courts. As a consequence of the United Kingdom no longer being subject to the EU Insolvency Regulation, by virtue of the Insolvency (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, the English courts will no longer be limited to opening certain insolvency proceedings, such as administration, in those situations where a company has its COMI in the United Kingdom. In certain circumstances, this may provide additional flexibility to open proceedings in the United Kingdom where this was not previously possible. Issues of recognition will still need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, but this increased flexibility could be helpful in some cross-border situations.

Outlook

The EU Insolvency Regulation undoubtedly provides an important framework for the recognition of cross-border insolvency and restructuring situations. The fact that the United Kingdom and the European Union will no longer enjoy the benefits of mutual recognition of insolvency proceedings and civil judgments is regrettable, but not fatal.

The CBIR will provide an important gateway into the United Kingdom for the recognition of EU insolvency proceedings. The implementation of the Model Law across the European Union would similarly go some way to restoring the confidence of mutual recognition in EUUK insolvency proceedings under the EU Insolvency Regulation, even if recognition under the Model Law is secured by court application as opposed to being automatic.

In the meantime, English law finance documents retain the primacy conferred on them by the Gibbs Rule, which, in spite of significant hostile commentary from other jurisdictions, continues to hold that foreign insolvency proceedings cannot discharge debts put in place by an English law contract. Moreover, the fact that the overwhelming majority of standard LMA-form international financing agreements will benefit from the protection of Rome I will be of some reassurance to certain stakeholders in the interim. Schemes and restructuring plans will therefore continue to play an important role in cross-border restructurings both within the European Union and in respect of non-EU companies that may continue to access schemes and restructuring plans in much the same way as before.

Moving forward, the Lugano Convention could provide an alternative route for the recognition of schemes. However, in the case of restructuring plans, the decision in Re gategroup has, for now, ruled out the possibility of the Lugano Convention providing any framework for the recognition of restructuring plans. In the case of restructuring plans, on the other hand, the decision in Re gategroup has, for now, ruled out the possibility of the Lugano Convention providing any framework for the recognition of restructuring plans. In any event, the United Kingdom is not yet a signatory to the Lugano Convention (the European Union and Denmark have yet to give their support to the United Kingdom's accession). It is also worth noting that there would be a delay of three months between the United Kingdom's accession and it taking effect.

However, before further steps are taken to re-homogenize insolvency and recognition procedures between the United Kingdom and the European Union, stakeholders should prepare for the need to implement more complex and carefully planned restructurings, including, for example, parallel proceedings both in the United Kingdom and relevant EU Member States, in order to achieve certainty of outcome in any given situation.

Robin Muir, an associate in the London Office, assisted in the preparation of this article.

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