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Brexit Bulletin - 10 May 2021
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This month, as part of our Managing Brexit activity, ADS is joining up with the Aerospace Technology Institute to hold an information day focused on European funding opportunities. The event will take place on 20 May and is open to UK as well as European delegates. Please see further details below.
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was ratified by members of the European Parliament two weeks ago and came into effect on 1 May. It was described as the ‘final step in a long journey’ by the Prime Minister and was welcomed by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who tweeted that ‘faithful implementation is essential.’ Implementation of many parts of the new trading arrangements are still playing out and we continue to assist ADS members on new customs procedures and regulatory requirements.
There has been some progress on recognition of professional qualifications, with French authorities confirming last week that UK solicitors based in Paris can continue advising on English and international law post-Brexit. After several months of negotiation, the National Council of French Bar Associations and the French government have concluded that the TCA enables UK lawyers to register as 'foreign legal consultants'. We will be monitoring how this development affects other areas of professional qualifications.
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The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and ADS are jointly holding an information day focused on European funding opportunities. The online event will focus on opportunities for aerospace through Horizon Europe, as well as funding that will be provided by the European Partnership for Clean Aviation.
The line-up of speakers will offer a comprehensive overview of the various funding opportunities available. Speakers include:
- Dr Sebastiano Fumero -currently Head of the Future Low Emission Industries at the European Commission DG Research and Innovation, European Research Executive Agency.
- Louise Mothersole - the National Contact Point for Horizon 2020 at Innovate UK and has been since 2014 after a 20-year career working in both public (MOD) and private (QinetiQ and General Dynamics) Innovation roles.
- Abishek Ramesh - the UK National Contact Point for Horizon Europe & Global Innovation Lead on Advanced Manufacturing & Industries at Innovate UK and is a Chartered engineer by background.
- Zale Johnson - the National Contact Point and Global Innovation Lead for Security at Innovate UK, providing support, advice and guidance to UK entities who look to participate in the EU Commission’s Horizon Europe Civil Security for Society Programme of Work.
- Ian Edwards -a Tax Director with EY NI based in Belfast, having worked across a wide range of projects, he is experienced at handling corporate tax compliance, group restructuring, acquisitions and disposals, capital allowances as well as R&D (Research & Development) tax relief claims.
- Dr. Hitendra Hirani -an EU Programme Manager at the University of Nottingham and has over 20 years of experience of working on, managing work packages, coordinating, and supporting large multi-sector and multi-disciplinary projects.
- Sébastien Dubois -Head of Unit Programmes at Clean Sky Joint undertaking and is responsible for running and steering the CS2 programme with the aim to reduce the environmental footprint of the next generation of Air Craft through the development of mature and competitive technologies.
The European Funding Day event is now open for registrations and you can find more information on our website.
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As businesses navigate the new relationship between the UK and EU, there may be issues and new experiences facing members, ADS are keen to hear from members via the dedicated brexitreporting@adsgroup.org.uk email address on all your experiences including:
- Ease or challenges related to moving goods from GB to EU from 1 January 2021
- Experiences with Customs Agents
- Experiences with new customs systems
- Ease or challenges related to moving goods in and out of NI from 1 January 2021
- Concerns with regards to regulation or certification of your goods and products
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Continuing the theme of European R&D, ADS is holding a briefing session on Thursday 13 May, offering an opportunity for ADS members to learn about the funding opportunities within the Security, Digital and Space Work Programmes under Horizon Europe, to enable the development of new innovative ideas, products, and services. The event will feature speakers Catherine Holt (Innovation Lead Space) and Stephen Alexander (Innovation Lead Legal & Financial) from Innovate UK.
Find out more and sign up for the event here.
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Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost led the Border Protocol Delivery Group (BPDG) update last week in his new role, taking over from Michael Gove. He thanked members of the group for their ongoing efforts to support government with the implementation on the new UK border and was pleased to be engaging with the BPDG forum.
Lord Frost reflected on the fact the January implementation had gone more smoothly than many of the worst-case scenarios. The BPDG continues to keep a close eye on trade statistics and trade levels are currently considered reasonable given the pandemic, which continues to add a lot of noise to the statistics.
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Future UK Free Trade Agreements
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Over the last month, the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss, has announced a trade deal with Serbia, a breakthrough in negotiations with Australia, and has made the first steps to engage with the US Trade Representative Ambassador, Katherine Tai. As part of the UK’s continuity trade arrangements, the UK will soon review agreements made with some of its larger trading partners including South Korea, Israel, Turkey, Mexico, and Canada.
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Currently, the focus of the Department of International Trade (DIT) is on securing trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, as well as the UK’s proposed accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a virtual meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at which they pledged a ‘quantum leap’ in the relationship between the two countries, agreeing a joint “2030 roadmap”. The roadmap seeks to double the volume of bilateral trade, allow collaboration on health security and climate change, and launch joint operations in the Indo-Pacific region to combat the rise of China.
The UK will also now allow young Indians to live and work in Britain for up to two years without needing a job offer in the first significant post-Brexit liberalisation of the immigration system. The existing youth mobility programme is open to citizens of countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
ADS continues to engage with DIT on trade policy on behalf of members through the DIT’s thematic working groups. Please see the ADS Brexit Hub for regular update.
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The CAA continues to administer the rebate scheme of up to £250 for new Electronic Conspicuity (EC) devices aimed at encouraging more adoption of EC within the UK's General Aviation (GA) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) communities. The Department for Transport has made additional funding available, with the scheme extended until 30 September 2021. Full details on those eligible to apply, EC devices and how to claim a rebate are available on the CAA website.
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The CAA announced last month that the General Aviation Unit and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Unit (RPAS) teams will be formally integrated into one unit with Sophie O'Sullivan, the current interim Head of the GAU and current Head of RPAS, named as the permanent Head of this combined unit. The new unit will seek to work collaboratively on airspace integration and on innovation through the Future Flight Fund work and the Airfield Advisory Fund.
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Northern Ireland Protocol
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The Northern Ireland Office last week released a joint statement by NI Secretary Brandon Lewis MP and Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD, in which they agreed to work in ‘close partnership to protect and uphold all aspects of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in all circumstances.’ They will also convene a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in June, ‘to discuss matters of mutual interest’.
Government have recently updated their webpage guidance on Northern Ireland with links below:
In addition to the latest guidance, HMRC has made available slides from a recent online seminar with Invest NI which provides guidance on apportionment for goods ‘at risk.’
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