CPA Bulletin

POLICY: 2 nationals must take and the qualifying criteria needed to apply for the EU settlement scheme - go to https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families for further information. The scheme is open from March 2019 to 30 June 2021. Companies should make sure EU employees register and receive regular email updates from the Home office at https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/webform. asp?id=67&id2=627DF7 The Department for Exiting the EU has published a policy paper which sets out how the EU Settlement Scheme would operate in the event of no deal Brexit, providing guidance and information for EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU. This can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/762222/Policy_paper_on_ citizens__rights_in_the_event_of_a_no_deal_Brexit.pdf Employees do not have to apply for any of the schemes if: • They are Irish • They have indefinite leave to enter the UK • They have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. YET THE POTENTIAL FOR DELAYS AND BORDER CUSTOM CHECKS IS REAL For construction companies working with overseas suppliers and contractors, there might be further ramifications. As the UK will qualify as a third country, delays at the UK/EU border as goods are checked to make sure they comply with UK/EU regulations and legislation might occur. UK exporters to the EU may be required to make customs declarations. These measures could cause delays on deliveries to sites, leading to projects running over time and budget, especially if these factors have not been incorporated into planning. These are the issues and practical steps companies should be aware of. There remain questions around future agreements on other areas of our future relationship which have yet to be resolved. Whichever way events over the coming months turn out, commentators believe the fall-out and impact from Brexit will be felt politically and economically for the rest of 2019 and into 2020/2021. It is important the construction sector is prepared and ready to play its part in this process, taking advantage of the opportunities and remaining at the heart of the economy. www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > February 2019 23