Are you ready for Brexit?

Tuesday 01 January 2019

The States have announced a week of public events to make sure islanders are fully informed of how the UK’s leaving the EU will affect them as Brexit looms ever closer.

The ‘Ready for Brexit’ week will start this month and aim to support businesses and share Brexit plans with the public.

The events will begin on 14 January and include the publication of a readiness toolkit for businesses, workshops for traders and a live demonstration of how EU nationals can apply for ‘settled status’ in Jersey.

The week will culminate in the Minister for External Relations Senator Ian Gorst appearing before the Brexit Scrutiny Panel to answer their questions about what Brexit will mean for Jersey.

Senator Gorst said: “We are continuing to prepare on the basis of a ‘no deal’, as we have done since the UK Referendum in 2016. 

Pictured: Minister for External Relations Senator Ian Gorst said that Jersey is "continuing to prepare on the basis of a 'no deal'". 

“Last week the UK government announced that they would be letting UK residents know how to prepare for a ‘no deal’ scenario. We want to make sure that the Jersey public and businesses are fully aware of our own preparations, and are taking into account what impact Brexit may have on them. This week will be an opportunity for islanders to understand and prepare for Brexit day and beyond.”

A full schedule detailing all of the events is due to be published soon.

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Chair of the Brexit Review Panel, said: "With both the UK and EU accelerating their preparations for a ‘no deal’ Brexit, I'm pleased to see the government letting islanders know about the work it has and will be doing to prepare the island and its businesses for a ‘no deal’ scenario.

“The Brexit Review Panel is in regular contact with the External Relations department and other areas of government, ensuring that their preparations are comprehensive and proportionate."

Pictured: The Brexit Review Panel aims to ensure that the preparations of the External Relations department are "comprehensive and proportionate". 

“To date, we are satisfied that the government has been diligent and focused in its work but are aware that the pace of preparations will have to increase over the coming months as the reality of the UK's departure from the EU becomes clearer", Deputy Morel continued.

The ‘Ready for Brexit’ week is being organised by the States in collaboration with Jersey Business, Jersey Finance, the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the Jersey Hospitality Association, Visit Jersey, Locate Jersey and Jersey Overseas Aid.