Government launches 'business task force' to help firms prepare for Brexit

12 November 2020, 00:30

Plans are being put in place for Brexit
Plans are being put in place for Brexit. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

The Government is launching a new business task force to help firms prepare for the UK's final break with the EU at the end of the year.

With just over seven weeks to the end of the Brexit transition period, senior Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove acknowledged it was a "challenging time" for business.

The move comes after the National Audit Office warned last week of "significant disruption" at the border whether or not the Government was able to secure a free trade deal with Brussels in time for January 1.

Officials said the task force - which meets for the first time on Thursday - would allow businesses and senior ministers to discuss potential issues "at pace" as they emerged.

Read more: Brexit: Boris Johnson to push ahead with bill despite previous Biden warning

Read more: Michel Barnier warns 'very serious divergences' remain in UK-EU Brexit trade talks

Mr Gove said: "Regardless of the outcome of the UK-EU negotiations, in just 50 days we are leaving the EU single market and customs union and this will bring both new challenges and new opportunities for businesses.

"We recognise that this is a challenging time for everyone, and we are determined to support businesses to be ready for 1 January 2021 and beyond.

"It is only by working together that we will be able to seize the opportunities that await us as we regain our political and economic independence."

Former Brexit Secretary tells LBC how a Biden presidency might impact the UK

The meeting comes as talks on a post-Brexit trade deal were continuing in London between the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier and his UK counterpart, Lord Frost.

Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney has said he expects them to carry on into next week - although this has yet to be confirmed by either London or Brussels.

Speaking at an event organised by the European Movement on Wednesday, he said that if there was no agreement at some point next week, there would be "real problems".

Read more: Government suffers defeat in Lords over controversial Brexit bill

Read more: Sir Keir Starmer 'sure' UK will strike Brexit trade deal with Joe Biden

CBI acting director general Josh Hardie said while business would work closely with ministers in the run-up to the end of the year, a free trade agreement was "crucial" to economic recovery.

"Sectors know there will be disruption no matter what the outcome of ongoing talks, so helping firms prepare and mitigate wherever possible is vital," he said.

"As European economies grapple with national restrictions amid the global pandemic, a deal is crucial for recovery. There isn't a moment to lose."

Farage worries about post-Brexit trade deal with Biden

It comes as Boris Johnson insisted there is still "a deal to be done" but all sides have acknowledged time is running out if the provisions of an agreement are to be implemented in time for January 1.

Post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and the European Union are not expected to reach an agreement this week and progress needs to be made soon if a new deal is to be in place by the end of the year when the current arrangements expire.

The EU's lead negotiator Michel Barnier has been in London for talks which are set to continue on Thursday.

Mr Johnson said: "There is a deal there to be done and we're keen to do it but it depends on our friends and partners understanding where we need to get to.

"But either way, we're going to be ready for whatever the outcome is. This country is full of plans and full of resilience and we'll have a good way forward."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Matthew Perry attends 'The Circle' screening during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 26, 2017 in New York City.

Doctor to plead guilty to supplying Friends star Matthew Perry with ketamine

The son of a woman who died while skydiving said she was "just trying something new" when her family lost her.

‘Caring’ mother-of-four who died while skydiving was ‘just trying something new’, son says

NHS 999 staff are quitting and suffering burnout caused by the "relentless pressure" of calls, according to new research.

NHS 999 staff quitting and suffering burnout due to ‘relentless pressure’ of calls, research finds

Using a mobile phone to use TikTok video sharing site

Patients who record NHS care for TikTok or Instagram causing workers unnecessary anxiety

Russ Cook

Gen-Z adults with a fitness regime ‘more likely to have a financial plan’

Daytime view of a busy Oxford Street

Sir Sadiq Khan to pedestrianise Oxford Street ‘as quickly as possible’

Low water levels at Baitings dam near Ripponden following a very dry spring

England faces ‘huge’ water shortages of 5bn litres a day by 2055, officials warn

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in Wales.

Driver handed 10-year sentence after ramming pedestrians, including teenager, with SUV in Airbnb row

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates a goal.

Four people given suspended prison sentences for hate crimes after hanging effigy of Real Madrid star

Electricity prices in the UK are high because of the "insane" wholesale market, Parliament has been told.

UK electricity prices ‘way too high’ because of ‘insane’ wholesale market, Parliament told

Detectives have released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to following an attempted rape

Bid to trace man as police investigate attempted rape of woman in cinema

Exclusive
Jess Phillips on LBC

Victims deserve credit for grooming gangs national inquiry - not Elon Musk, says Labour minister

Israel attacked Iran's state broadcaster IRIB during a live broadcast.

Israel accused of 'war crime' after bombing Iran's state TV studio live on air and warning it would 'disappear'

The Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, England, where Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will visit on Wednesday Aug. 7, 2024 following riots

Pregnant teenager facing jail term following role in Rotherham riots targeting migrant hotel

Hamilton started the race in fifth and looked to be on course for a positive 70 laps - before his Grand Prix was impacted in the initial stages.

Lewis Hamilton is left 'devastated' after hitting a furry animal at 100mph in F1's Canadian Grand Prix

Gareth Bale is reportedly being lined up to front a takeover of League One side Plymouth

Gareth Bale in talks to front shock US takeover of League One club