Westminstenders: Summer Season

[RedToothBrush]

No its not the weather making your brain rot and stop thinking.

Thats just Brexit.

So I've started reading the intro to the technical notes.

I've got as far as this...

The UK approach - prioritising stability
At the heart of government’s approach to preparing for a ‘no deal’ scenario is a commitment to prioritise stability for citizens, consumers and business, to ensure the smooth operations of business, infrastructure and public services and to minimise any disruption to the economy. We have plans in place to do this.

Do i need to read any further?

God the next paragraph:

That is why the technical notice on human medicines published today confirms that the government will continue to recognise batch testing, Qualified Person (QP) certification and release of human medicines that has been carried out in the EU until the government considers further change necessary, avoiding the need for these medicines to be re-tested in the UK. We will also continue to apply highly automated, risk based and intelligence targeted customs controls when the UK leaves the EU. As they do today, HMRC will work closely with industry to ensure its interventions are conducted in a way which minimises delays and additional burdens for legitimate trade, while robustly ensuring compliance.

So we will accept things but will the EU accept the same in return? Can they under their own laws?

And don't get me started on the capability and capacity of HMRC to actually manage to do what that shiny paragraph says.

Isn't the bank restriction re accessing British banks, the formalisation of autarkic little thing of trapping people and their money in one place, and preventing us from spending our money off this island?

How does internet fit in with this shite?

'We have plans' My arse.

We are clear that in a ‘no deal’ scenario we must respect our unique relationship with Ireland, with whom we share a land border and who are co-signatories of the Belfast Agreement. The UK government has consistently placed upholding the Belfast Agreement and its successors at the heart of our approach. It enshrines the consent principle on which Northern Ireland’s constitutional status rests. We recognise the basis it has provided for the deep economic and social cooperation on the island of Ireland. This includes North-South cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which we are committed to protecting in line with the letter and spirit of Strand two of the Agreement.

The Irish government have indicated they would need to discuss arrangements in the event of ‘no deal’ with the European Commission and EU Member States. The UK stands ready in this scenario to engage constructively to meet our commitments and act in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland, recognising the very significant challenges that the lack of a UK-EU legal agreement would pose in this unique and highly sensitive context.

It remains, though, the responsibility of the UK government, as the sovereign government in Northern Ireland, to continue preparations for the full range of potential outcomes, including ‘no deal’. As we do, and as decisions are made, we will take full account of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.

Summary:

NI: just waffle a bit and no one will pay attention to what we say, cos we are just avoiding the subject really.

None of the information you’ve given so far RedTooth is an actual plan. It’s all waffle. Why am I not surprised?

Just when you think it couldn't get worse...

It’s like me saying “all right everyone, I’ve got a plan, just calm down. What? No you don’t need to know the plan, just trust me I’ve got this” whilst a tsunami is looming behind me.

www.gov.uk/government/collections/how-to-prepare-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal
import/export parts - "Engaging a customs broker or acquiring the appropriate software and authorisations form HMRC will come at a cost"

hmmm procuring, integrating & deploying software isnt the sort of thing you cam do overnight - factoring in hmrc authorisation then you'll be into months - so businesses have to make a decision as to whether to sink that cost asap or wait until no-deal is fact and suffer an n-month 'bump'

How UK organisations such as charities, businesses and universities who receive EU funding would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with ‘no deal’.

In the unlikely event of a ‘no deal’, the UK will leave the EU Budget in March 2019 meaning UK organisations would no longer receive future funding for projects under EU programmes, such as the European Regional Development Fund and Horizon 2020, without further action. However, the Chancellor announced in August and October 2016 that the government will guarantee EU projects agreed before we leave the EU, to provide more certainty for UK organisations over the course of EU Exit.

In July 2018, the Chief Secretary laid a Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS926) extending this guarantee to provide further stability for UK organisations in a ‘no-deal’ scenario. The guarantee now covers the following:

• the full 2014-20 Multiannual Financial Framework allocation for structural and investment funds
• the payment of awards where UK organisations successfully bid directly to the European Commission on a competitive basis while we remain in the EU
• the payment of awards under successful bids where UK organisations are able to participate as a third country in competitive grant programmes from Exit day until the end of 2020
• the current level of agricultural funding under CAP Pillar 1 until 2020.

For awards where UK organisations successfully bid directly to the European Commission on a competitive basis, we will work with the Commission to ensure that UK organisations will be able to continue to participate.

This note isn't much bigger than this. It just says look at the other notes on specific EU agencies and funding such as nuclear or farming.

Lets see what they have to say.

I wonder how much of this flood of impossible-to-spin-positively news is news to Leavers ?

If nothing else, it's making the "no deal" hyperbole an impossible outcome ?

I don't like Raabs use of the words 'we hope'. Surely we shouldn't be relying on hope.

Just saw on sky news that pharmaceutical companies have been advised to stockpile for 6 weeks minimum. Individuals haven’t been asked to stockpile.

If you are dependent on life-saving medication, do you now feel reassured?

Here's some detail from the Horizon 2020 note:

In the unlikely event of a ‘no deal’ scenario, we therefore intend that UK researchers and businesses would be able to apply to and participate in all those Horizon 2020 calls open to third country participants from the date of exit, with funding provided via the extended guarantee. Third country participation is a well-established part of Horizon 2020 - entities from third countries currently participate in and lead consortia in a wide range of collaborative programmes. The government is seeking discussions with the European Commission to agree the details of our continued participation as a third country.

Third country participation does not extend to some Horizon 2020 calls; these include European Research Council (ERC) grants, some Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and the SME instrument. The government is considering what other measures may be necessary to support UK research and innovation in the event that the guarantee and the extension are required.

Looking beyond 2020, the UK remains committed to ongoing collaboration in research and innovation and wants to work with the EU on a mutually beneficial outcome. The government set out its plan for the future relationship between the UK and the EU in its White Paper, which includes the proposal to form a cooperative accord with the EU on science and innovation.

At the same time, the government is signalling our commitment to the future of our country and the world through our goal to increase UK research and development spending to 2.4% of GDP by 2027.

Errrrr yeah ok. We have a 'goal'. With no idea of how we are going to meet that goal when our GDP shrinks and affects what percentage has to be spent on basics.

"Engaging a customs broker or acquiring the appropriate software and authorisations form HMRC will come at a cost"

My last employer took 5 years to decide what software they wanted to use for a certain purpose. Admittedly that's an extreme case (a lot of internal bunfighting). But in general, for a small to medium size enterprise, I'd budget a year from tender to tech ?

And I pity the firm trying to shoehorn a system in at the same time their customers and suppliers are.

If you thought the HSBC TITSUP earlier was bad ....

TL;DR

Project Fear was pretty much spot on ....

How researchers working on civil nuclear fission and fusion will be affected if the UK leaves the EU with ‘no deal’.

The UK would leave Euratom. A separate notice has been prepared on the implications of leaving Euratom for the civil nuclear sector, including the future context and impact in a ‘no deal’ scenario on civil nuclear trade with the EU and partners.

In a ‘no deal’ scenario, the UK will:

• no longer be a member of the Euratom R&T programme
• no longer be a member of Fusion for Energy
• therefore, no longer be able to collaborate on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project through the EU.

The UK government is committed to nuclear research. This will mean continued domestic research, as well as its other international partnerships, to ensure the UK retains its world leading position in this field.

Implications, and actions for businesses and other stakeholders

Joint European Torus - continued funding
In a ‘no deal’ scenario, the government will fulfil its stated commitment to continue to provide funding for its share of Joint European Torus costs until the end of 2020, subject to the EU Commission extending the Joint European Torus operating contract until then. The European Commission has stated its ambition to ‘extend the Joint European Torus operating contract until 2020’ but a final decision is still outstanding.

The UK Atomic Energy Agency sees Joint European Torus experiments as critical to supporting International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor construction and planning. When the Joint European Torus operating contract ends, the UK government is willing to discuss options to keep Joint European Torus operational until the end of its useful life.

Guarantee for competitive EU funds
In a ‘no deal’ scenario, the UK will leave the EU budget in March 2019 meaning UK organisations would no longer receive future funding for projects under EU programmes, such as Euratom Research and Training, without further action. However, the Chancellor announced in August and October 2016 that the government will guarantee EU projects agreed before we leave the EU, to provide more certainty for UK organisations over the course of EU exit. The guarantee covers the payment of awards where UK organisations successfully bid directly to the European Commission on a competitive basis while we remain in the EU.

In July 2018, the Chief Secretary laid a written ministerial statement extending this guarantee to provide further stability for UK organisations in a ‘no deal’ scenario. The guarantee now includes the payment of awards under successful bids where UK organisations can participate as a third country in competitive grant programmes from exit day until the end of 2020.

This means that in a ‘no deal’ scenario, at which point the UK will assume third country status, the government’s commitment will guarantee funding for eligible, successful bids until the end of 2020 for UK organisations who successfully bid directly to the EU for competitive grants under the Euratom Research and Training programme.

Summary: Trust us. We guarentee it.
Well until 2020.

Anyone over ordering medicines will be investigated apparently...

TD;DRT too disgusting didn't read. Thank you for taking one for the team red. I can't bear to click on it.

Individuals haven’t been asked to stockpile
I'm double checking measles jabs of my lot, and taking flu injections this year (as per BigChoc's advice) Vitamins. I wonder if homeopathic remedies will be affected.

There is going to be so much black market stuff going on, this is a villain's nirvana.

Losing access to ECR grants will be devastating for universities. Until recently (we’ve now been overtaken by Germany), we used to receive by far the largest number of these grants. There is very litte govt. funding for research, so there is an over-reliance on EU sources.

Anyone over ordering medicines will be investigated apparently...

Bring it on ...

Exactly what DJ said. There is no way businesses and gov will be able to implement all the contractural renegotiation and retenders, IT procurement and changes, agreements with third parties in time for day 1.

Especially as the detail people need to write a spec won't be agreed to the 11th hour if at all.

Unless some implementation can take place during the transition period- can it? I'm not too clear on the purpose of the 2 year transition period

So individuals aren’t to stockpile meds. So no buffer at home.

And GPS aren’t to stockpile meds. So no point asking them.

And NHS trusts aren’t to stockpile meds. So no point turning up to hospitals.

Only the manufacturers are to stockpile.

The supply of your meds is now 3 steps away from your grasp, and you are expected to be ok with this. Right. Brilliant.

I find myself wondering how the US tariffs and laws could kick in, once the UK is out of the EU ? Especially with high tech stuff like medical equipment ?

I know the US has some very strict laws about what can - and can't - be exported. With the UK out of the EU, and not having it's own treaty, is there a danger of equipment and support stopping ?

I ask here, because even my MP hasn't got an answer. And DW has a shiny US internal pump, ticking away.

How are the "no dealers" taking this ? I'm guessing they're hard to spot at the moment ?

How the ownership, movement and safeguarding of nuclear material will be regulated if the UK leaves the EU with ‘no deal’.

After 29 March 2019 if there’s no deal
On exit from the EU, a new domestic nuclear safeguards regime will come into force.

Implications
The new regime will be run by the ONR, which already has regulatory oversight of nuclear safety and nuclear security. The new regime is not dependent on there being a deal with the EU and Euratom.

The ONR will publish guidance on the new inspection arrangements on its website.

Actions for businesses and other stakeholders
All operators in the UK civil nuclear sector will need to comply with the new domestic safeguards regime as it applies to them.

Oh, some new rules will apply. But we've not written them yet. Plan accordingly in the meantime.

Ownership of special fissile material
Before 29 March 2019
Under Euratom Treaty arrangements, all special fissile material in any EU country is legally “owned” by Euratom. Operators that hold the legal title to the material have the unlimited right to use and consume the material as long as they comply with obligations in the Euratom Treaty.

After 29 March 2019 if there’s no deal
On exit from the EU, Euratom ownership of special fissile material in the UK will end.

Implications
Operators that hold the legal title to special fissile material in the UK will have full ownership from this date, and their associated rights will remain unaffected.

For special fissile material on Euratom territory, Euratom rules will continue to apply until the material is exported from Euratom territory.

Lets just gloss over what we are talking about here.

Supply contracts for nuclear material
Before 29 March 2019
Under current arrangements operators in the EU, including the UK, are required to obtain approval from the Euratom Supply Agency and, depending on the nature of the contract, the European Commission, before they conclude a supply contract for nuclear material.

After 29 March 2019 if there’s no deal
On exit from the EU, Euratom Supply Agency approval will no longer be required for contracts agreed by UK-established operators, except where these involve an EU27-established operator. For EU27-established operators, Euratom Supply Agency procedures will continue to apply as currently.

Implications
The EU has set out its view that some existing contracts will need to be re-approved. Further details of the actions to be taken are set out below.

Actions for businesses and other stakeholders
The steps that UK and EU27 operators may wish to consider taking will depend on when their contract was, or is due to be, concluded.

On exit from the EU, some existing supply contracts will need to be re-approved as a result of the UK’s withdrawal. This will apply only to supply contracts that:

• involve both a UK-established operator and an EU27-established operator
• have been co-signed by the Euratom Supply Agency prior to the UK’s withdrawal
• have a supply period which extends beyond the date of the UK’s withdrawal.

For existing supply contracts of this type, UK and EU27 operators affected should engage with the Euratom Supply Agency on the process for re-approval and agree with their counterparts on any steps that will need to be taken to manage the period during which this process takes place. We will continue to work with the UK operators concerned to ensure that appropriate contingency supply arrangements are in place.

For UK-established operators, Euratom Supply Agency approval will only be required after the day of withdrawal if the contract involves an EU27-established operator. Operators will need to comply with standard Euratom Supply Agency processes.

For EU27-established operators, Euratom Supply Agency procedures will continue to apply as currently.

If you are a nuclear firm and have waited for this wisdom from government than your fucked.
If you are a nuclear firm which uses trucks that might go through customs, why haven't you invested in startrek style transporters.
If you are a nuclear firm you might want to do what all other firms will have to do and stockpile and warehouse materials you need after Brexit. (!!!!!)

More meaningly shallow waffle.

Oh here we go nuclear waste

After 29 March 2019 if there’s no deal
The UK’s current arrangements for the reprocessing of spent fuel and treatment of radioactive waste will continue after the UK’s withdrawal from Euratom.

On exit from the EU, the process for authorising new shipments of spent fuel and radioactive waste from the UK to EU27 will change to reflect the fact that the UK will no longer be within the EU. The UK will engage with operators on any new arrangements that will apply for the authorisation of new shipments of spent fuel and radioactive waste from the EU27 to the UK, and will provide further guidance on these.

Beyond this, arrangements for new shipments of spent fuel and radioactive waste from EU27 countries to the UK for the purposes of management will not be affected. Under EU rules, there will be some small changes applicable to shipments of radioactive waste for the purposes of disposal, but the UK government’s policy on accepting such shipments will remain unaffected.

Implications
The management of EU27 spent fuel and radioactive waste in the UK will continue in line with existing contractual arrangements.

For new shipments of spent fuel and radioactive waste between the UK and EU27, all operators will need to comply with the arrangements that apply to third countries when shipping spent fuel and radioactive waste from the UK to EU27 countries. Further guidance will be provided on the arrangements that will apply for authorisations of spent fuel and radioactive waste from the EU27 to the UK.

BANGS HEAD ON THE DESK

I could have made up this meaningless shit.

If any business was waiting on this type of advice they are in deep shit now. And I wonder how they actually function.

Its not advice. Its a PR stunt.