Companies keen to build on the success of trading with Europe
The UK’S new trading relationship with the EU means that businesses are able
to seize new opportunities as we strike trade deals with the world’s fastest growing markets. Outside the EU customs union, there are also new processes
and rules which they have been preparing for.
THE UK’S new relationship with the EU started on January 1, bringing updated rules on exports, imports, tariffs, qualifications, hiring and travel.
Many businesses were well prepared and are successfully trading.
To keep moving forward, there are steps all businesses can take to adapt to the new changes.
They include ...
■ Making customs declarations when exporting goods to the EU. You can make the declarations but most businesses use a courier,
freight forwarder or customs agent.
■ Ensuring you have an EORI number starting with GB. If exporting, you need to check that the EU business you’re exporting to is also ready.
■ Checking the need for a visa or work permit.
■ Checking the rules on the UK’S new points-based immigration system when hiring from outside the UK.
Highland Games events across Scotland are being forced to pull the plug this year due to uncertainty over what coronavirus restrictions will be in place when they are due to go ahead.
More than a dozen events have been called off recently over concerns about the potential impact of possible travel restrictions and social distancing rule.
Thescottishhighlandgames Association,whichexpectsothers to follow over the next few weeks, said the prospect for the forthcoming season was “bleak”, despite the vaccine roll-out.
Research published three years ago found that Highland Games events generated more than £25 million to the Scottish economy each year. One in four visitors to the games, were believed to be from overseas.
Its members are facing looming deadlines to decide whether to commit resources for events without knowing how financially viable they will be if audience numbers are capped.
Highland Games events on the Isle of Skye, and at Glamis Castle in Angus, Cupar in Fife, Kenmore in Perthshire, Lochcarron in the Highlands and Tomintoul in Moray have been called off in the last fortnight.
Ian Grieve, secretary of the Scottish Highland Games Association, which oversees more than 60 events, said: “We thought we just write off the whole season last year and everything would be back to normal in 2021. But I really don’t know if any will happen this year.
“It's looking pretty bleak already with 13 events cancelled and we’re not even out of February.
“We just need to keep our fingers crossed that the combination of the lockdown
we’ve been in and the vaccine makes things a bit more manageable. But it’s all very difficult for everyone at the moment.”
A statement from the Isle of Skye Highland Games said:
“Although things are hopefully improving there can be no guarantee as to what the situation will be like in August.
"Apart from the two World Wars, our Games have never
had to be cancelled (until last year), but these are difficult times and the health and wellbeing of our community has to be our main priority.”