At least part of the Brexit plan revealed in Queen's Speech

The latest Queen’s speech drafted by the government, delivered almost a year after the Brexit referendum has, to some degree, outlined the intentions of the British government when leaving the EU

The speech contained evidence of The Prime Minister’s plan for a clean break from the European Union, which would take Britain out of both the single market and the customs union.  The speech also contained eight articles of the Brexit legislation clearing the way for Britain’s departure from the EU in March 2019.

Over the course of the next two years, the parliament will be focusing in negotiating the departure from the EU, thus repatriating trade and legal powers back to the UK. This would put an end to the freedom of movement and enable the country to implement its own-free trade outside of the EU.

The programme, which is the most detailed plan of Brexit implementation, will be enacted, should it be passed in just two years without a majority in parliament.

Among the eight bills included in the plan, four seem to bear particular relevance in terms of international trade and politics.

The Great Repeal Bill intends to repeal the 1972 European Communities Act and to convert all EU law into British law, as to ensure a “smooth and orderly transition”.

The Customs Bill will ensure the UK has standalone customs regime with capacity to make allowance for any future trade agreements, both with the EU and other markets.  It will also ensure that the government can collect customs duties.  As well as ensuring that there is adequate control over the import and export of goods.

The Trade Bill provides a framework for free trade deals with countries worldwide whilst protecting the British commercial businesses from unfair trading practices, in the likely event of a clean break with the EU single market

Finally, the Immigration Bill will enable the UK to repeal the EU law on immigration, thus limiting and controlling the number of people coming to the UK from the EU. This will mark the end of the free movement. Specific details regarding the nature of the new immigration will follow in due course.  EU nationals will be “subject to the relevant UK law”.

Although this does not rule out the possibility of liberal immigration regime, the bill entails EU citizens will no longer have the right to live and work in the UK.

If you wish to know more about how Brexit can affect your freedom of movement to the UK, or any other Brexit related matter please do not hesitate to contact clientservices@giambronelaw.com or telephone +44 (0) 203 102 9482