What leaving the EU means for you
HISTORY has been made. Brexit has finally happened and, from today, Britain is free to navigate her own course in the world.
From 11pm last night the UK was legally outside the EU, having achieved a tariff- free trade deal with Brussels.
Here we examine the key areas that will affect our lives and how they will differ now we are a sovereign nation rather than being ruled from Europe.
1. NO MORE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EU BUDGET
The UK will no longer make colossal annual payments to the EU’s budget.
Britain’s so- called membership fee was around £ 19billion a year, equal to £ 350million a week – the figure famously emblazoned on the Vote Leave battle bus during the EU referendum.
In 2019, the UK made an estimated gross contribution ( after its rebate) of £ 14.4billion. The so- called divorce bill has been put at around £ 39billion.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates there is around £ 25billion left to pay Brussels by 2057, almost £ 18billion of which will be paid in the first five years of leaving.
2. HEALTHCARE
Britons travelling to Europe from today will still be able to use their European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC) until it expires. It entitles holders to state- provided medical treatment if you fall ill or have an accident in any EU country, or in Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
The Government advises that full travel insurance – including healthcare cover – is purchased before overseas trips, particularly for pre- existing health conditions.
Ministers have been trying to negotiate new terms with the EU for the same healthcare cover as the EHIC. But if it fails, the Government will bring in a scheme valid throughout 2021 for people who require treatment while abroad, such as dialysis or chemotherapy.
More than 12,000 medicines are used by the NHS and around 7,000 come from or via the EU.
3. LAW AND ORDER
For decades, meddling judges in the EU have overruled UK laws on issues ranging from counterterrorism powers, migration and VAT, to voting for prisoners.
The European Court of Justice controlled Britain’s ability to deport violent criminals and terrorists. EU law in the UK now stops, as will the jurisdiction of the ECJ. It means the laws of the land will be passed by our elected representatives in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London.
Until now the Supreme Court was forced to defer to the ECJ in cases involving EU law. Now our Supreme Court is truly supreme.
4. TRADE
The historic deal means Britain and the EU can continue to trade without extra taxes on goods.
It also gives us the freedom to strike agreements with major non- EU countries. As an EU member, Britain was part of around 40 trade deals that the EU had with more than 70 countries. In 2018, these deals represented about 11 per cent of total UK trade. So far 29 of these existing deals – covering 58 countries or territories – have been rolled over and start today.
Trade Secretary Liz Truss is also holding trade talks with countries that do not currently have EU deals, such as America, Australia and New Zealand.
5. BORDERS
Home Secretary Priti Patel heralded her landmark Immigration Bill as a new era for Britain as it allows us to take back control of our borders.
She said EU laws on freedom of movement had allowed dangerous criminals to enter Britain and promised to put a stop to it, saying: “We are delivering on the will of the British people.”
Her system, described as
“firm and fair”, replaces freedom of movement with an Australian- style pointsbased system. The Government said it would allow the UK to attract the brightest and the best here and finally bring migration numbers down.
EU nationals will be subject to the same criteria for admission as nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and America.
The EU Settlement Scheme gives EU citizens the immigration status they need to stay in the UK. More than 4.1 million people have been granted settled status guaranteeing their rights in UK law. EU citizens here have until the end of June to apply.
6. FARMING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Britain will no longer stay signed up to the flawed Common Agricultural Policy ( CAP), which pays farmers for how much land they have rather than what they do with it. Finally,
farmers will have their own land.
Through the Agriculture Bill, farmers will receive the same level of support as they did through the CAP until 2024, while the current system of subsidies is phased out.
A new funding mechanism will be introduced over a seven- year period, with greater emphasis on environmental stewardship and rewards for improvements in air and water quality, soil health and biodiversity.
Concerns were raised that the UK could import food with lower standards, like chlorinated chicken from America. But the Government promised standards will not be diluted and such imports will remain banned.
7. FISHING
stewardship of
Britain is now outside of the Common Fisheries Policy and, for the first time since 1973, able to control who fishes in our waters – up to a point.
London and Brussels agreed that 25 per cent of EU boats’ fishing rights in UK waters will be transferred to the UK fleet over a fiveand- a- half- year transition period.
The most contentious part will see EU fishing quotas in UK waters reduced by 15 per cent in the first
year and by 2.5 percentage points each year after. By June 2026, UK boats will have access to an extra £ 145million of quota every year.
8. EXPATS AND PENSIONERS
There are around 1.3 million Britishborn people resident across the EU.
Post- Brexit travel rules mean expats will only be allowed to stay in a European country without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in every six- month period.
Hundreds of thousands of pensioners living in the EU, European Economic Area and Switzerland will get their state pensions increased annually in line with inflation.
9. TRAVEL & PET PASSPORTS
British passports remain valid as long as they are less than 10 years old and have six months left on
them. Travel will continue to most EU countries – in addition to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – without a visa.
In Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania, visitors are allowed a 90- day trip on top of their 90- day allowance for other EU countries.
Travellers will no longer be able to use EU fast- track passport control and customs lanes.
Motorists will not need an International Drivers Permit for roads in the EU after a deal was struck last night. If going in your own vehicle, take a green card, which proves a minimum standard of insurance. Cars will need a GB sticker.
EU pet passports are no longer valid. Pets can travel within the EU with an animal health certificate confirming that it is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. A new certificate is required for each separate period.
10. INDUSTRY AND INVESTMENT
Last year Britain’s national debt hit £ 2trillion for the first time as the cost of fighting the pandemic pushed public debt above the size of the UK economy for the first time since March 1961.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated a no- deal exit would leave the UK economy 2.1 per cent smaller this year and output depressed by a further 0.5- 1.0 per cent.
However, there is more optimism now we have struck a tariff- free trade deal with the EU.
A recent poll revealed that 50 per cent of businesses believe the impact on their bottom line would be positive.
11. POSTING TO THE EU
Customers posting from England, Scotland and Wales – not Northern Ireland – will be required to attach customs declaration forms to items containing gifts or goods being sent abroad, including to EU countries.
A form does not have to be completed if a letter, postcard or document is being sent.