SMEs to UK.gov: We need vouchers for tech and training ahead of final Brexit curtain falling
(2020/09/07)
- Reference: 1599475910
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/09/07/smes_ukgov_tech_training/
- Source link:
SMEs in Britain are urging the government to provide ‘transition vouchers” to be spent on tech, expertise and training as a way to help smooth the waves when the country exits the European Union.
The plea for help was made by the head of the Federation of Small Businesses today as negotiators for the UK administration and the 27-member-state economic union meet to again begin thrashing out a trade deal acceptable to both sides.
The economy is in a very different place today compared to the last time we were told to prepare for a no-deal outcome
Britain left the EU - a political and economic union of European countries - at the end of January but as part of the departure agreed a transition period until 31 December during which it is still governed by EU regulations and remains part of the single market and customs union.
Mike Cherry, chairman at the FSB, [1]warned the clock is ticking and yet SMEs “still have no clear sense of what they’ll be transitioning to.”
Brexit border-line issues: Would you want to still be 'testing' software designed to stop Kent becoming a massive lorry park come 31 December? [2]READ MORE
“The economy is in a very different place today compared to the last time we were told to prepare for a no-deal outcome. Small firms don’t have the time or money to get across new bureaucracy or stockpile,” he said.
Just last week, Logistics UK - formerly the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association - [3]told The Reg of concerns of members about the impact on their business of border systems that have yet to be user-tested months before the exit date.
Businesses crave predictability, but Brexit uncertainty, compounded by the impact of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic - along with the accompanying furlough scheme provided by UK.gov, which is due to close next month - has left many fearing for the future.
Cherry added:
“Given that small firms have been flat out managing coronavirus-linked disruption for the past six months, the government needs to step in with substantial financial support to assist with transition preparations.
“Transition vouchers mark a sensible way forward: set sums that can be spent on expertise, tech and training that will ease the small business community’s move to a new relationship with the EU,” the FSB chair added.
In a statement, a government spokesperson said:
“Our goals remain reaching a trade agreement with the EU that recognises the fundamentals of our position as an independent, sovereign country, and we continue to work hard to achieve that.” ®
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[1] https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/02/14/jumping_off_cliff.jpg
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2020/09/04/brexit_export_import_sytem_late/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/09/04/brexit_export_import_sytem_late/
[4] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The plea for help was made by the head of the Federation of Small Businesses today as negotiators for the UK administration and the 27-member-state economic union meet to again begin thrashing out a trade deal acceptable to both sides.
The economy is in a very different place today compared to the last time we were told to prepare for a no-deal outcome
Britain left the EU - a political and economic union of European countries - at the end of January but as part of the departure agreed a transition period until 31 December during which it is still governed by EU regulations and remains part of the single market and customs union.
Mike Cherry, chairman at the FSB, [1]warned the clock is ticking and yet SMEs “still have no clear sense of what they’ll be transitioning to.”
Brexit border-line issues: Would you want to still be 'testing' software designed to stop Kent becoming a massive lorry park come 31 December? [2]READ MORE
“The economy is in a very different place today compared to the last time we were told to prepare for a no-deal outcome. Small firms don’t have the time or money to get across new bureaucracy or stockpile,” he said.
Just last week, Logistics UK - formerly the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association - [3]told The Reg of concerns of members about the impact on their business of border systems that have yet to be user-tested months before the exit date.
Businesses crave predictability, but Brexit uncertainty, compounded by the impact of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic - along with the accompanying furlough scheme provided by UK.gov, which is due to close next month - has left many fearing for the future.
Cherry added:
“Given that small firms have been flat out managing coronavirus-linked disruption for the past six months, the government needs to step in with substantial financial support to assist with transition preparations.
“Transition vouchers mark a sensible way forward: set sums that can be spent on expertise, tech and training that will ease the small business community’s move to a new relationship with the EU,” the FSB chair added.
In a statement, a government spokesperson said:
“Our goals remain reaching a trade agreement with the EU that recognises the fundamentals of our position as an independent, sovereign country, and we continue to work hard to achieve that.” ®
Get our [4]Tech Resources
[1] https://regmedia.co.uk/2017/02/14/jumping_off_cliff.jpg
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2020/09/04/brexit_export_import_sytem_late/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/09/04/brexit_export_import_sytem_late/
[4] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
More than vouchers needed here
Mike 137
Some detailed reliable guidance would also be a good idea. But of course that would depend on having a clearly defined a stable regime to base the guidance on. It seems from the news today (e.g. proposed legislation to override parts of the withdrawal agreement) that the ground rules are still changing (or more realistically, there are still no ground rules and HM Govt. is merely winging it), so I'm not at all sure how vouchers will help until this muddle is eliminated.
Re: More than vouchers needed here
Flocke Kroes
No need for vouchers. Just do whatever you want because we are in control now.
A Non e-mouse
Based on current form, expect a u-turn or two.
How to reach a trade agreement with 27-country union defined by legal documents
1. Rip up the withdrawal agreement that you just signed with them less than a year ago.
2. ???
3. Profit!