‘Time is running out’ to prepare for Brexit, UK Government to tell businesses

The UK Government will today launch a campaign warning businesses “time is running out”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today speak with business leaders to help them prepare for the end of the transition period

Boris Johnson and Michael Gove will this week meet with firms to discuss the preparations required for the changes caused if Britain leaves the transition period without a deal.

The new public information campaign comes just days after the Prime Minister said the UK must now prepare for an Australian-style deal on future trade with the European Union, which will see tariffs on exports.HMRC are today also writing to 200,000 traders who trade with the EU to set out the new customs and tax rules coming into place and how to deal with them.

Michael Gove said: "At the end of this year we are leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union and this means there are both new challenges and new opportunities for businesses.

“Make no mistake, there are changes coming in just 75 days and time is running out for businesses to act.

“It is on all of us to put in the work now so that we can embrace the new opportunities available to an independent trading nation with control of its own borders, territorial waters and laws.”

Business Secretary Alok Sharma added: “With just 75 days until the end of the transition period, businesses must act now to ensure they are ready for the UK’s new start as an independent trading nation once more.

“There will be no extension to the transition period, so there is no time to waste.”The SNP claimed the UK Government was being “reckless” and failing to address the concerns of businesses.

Ian Blackford MP, the SNP's Westminster leader, said: "In the same week where over 70 business groups in the UK - representing more than 7 million workers - have sound the alarm over the UK government's no-deal Brexit threats, it is nothing short of reckless for the Tory government to further ramp up this rhetoric.

"With businesses facing more barriers, warnings of queues in lorry parks, potential disruption to supplies, and the double economic hit due to imposing Brexit in the middle of a pandemic - it will no doubt fill businesses with further concern that the UK government's latest campaign comes with the strapline of 'time is running out.'

"Businesses will be in despair at the UK government's extreme approach which risks inflicting further harm at a time when many are struggling to deal with the impact of the coronavirus crisis.”

On Friday the PM announced Brussels would not give Britain the kind of deal he wants, and declared unless that changes there would be no agreement.

The two sides had failed to find terms in time for his self-imposed deadline of October 15.

The Prime Minister announced Brussels would not give Britain the kind of deal he wants, and insisted unless that changes there would be no agreement.

His comments come after the two sides failed to find terms in time for his self-imposed deadline of October 15.

Despite the announcement, both sides are still talking with Mr Gove today insisting he was “still hopeful” of a deal.

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