Updated 29 July 2019
Theresa May announced her resignation on 24 May 2019 and exited her role on 24 July 2019. Boris Johnson was chosen to replace her as the UK prime minister and the new leader of the Conservative Party. Boris Johnson has so far built a new government around a team known for supporting a no-deal Brexit. The new prime minister confirmed that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October 2019, with or without a deal, setting out the departure terms.
Updated 24 May 2019
The withdrawal agreement bill will be brought forward for the fourth time by the government to Parliament the week of 3 June 2019. If it passes, the UK will leave the EU on 31 October 2019. If it is rejected, which is more likely to happen, several scenarios might be considered: The UK would leave the EU on the latest scheduled date without a deal, or Brexit can be renegotiated, canceled or subject to another referendum.
Updated 11 April 2019
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union that was initially set to happen on 29 March 2019, was delayed again. Prime Minister Theresa May was able to get another extension to 31 October 2019. If the Brexit deal is still not ratified by 22 May 2019, as a member of the EU, the UK will have to hold the elections of the European Parliament. If the UK fails to do so, it will have to leave the EU with or without a Brexit deal on 1 June 2019.
Original Alert published on 26 March 2019
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union was scheduled to take effect at the end of its two-year “Article 50” notice period, which was going to be 29 March 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May was able to get an extension to 22 May 2019, if the Brexit deal is accepted or 12 April 2019, if rejected by UK Parliament, which is more likely to happen.
The issue has proven to be hugely divisive. The “Leave” campaign won the referendum in 2016 with 52 percent of the vote in the largest voting turn out in the UK’s history.
Since then, the UK Parliament has grappled with the form that Brexit should take: a close trading relationship with close regulatory and legal alignment, known as a soft Brexit, or a hard Brexit with no agreement over the future trade relationship, but allowing the UK to strike independent trade deals with other countries such as the US.
Terms of departure
The UK and EU governments reached an agreement over the terms of the UK’s departure in November 2018, but these terms have repeatedly been rejected by UK Parliament, much to the frustration of the EU. The UK government is currently considering a third vote in Parliament to try to force its deal through. If passed, the agreement would, among other things, guarantee the rights of UK citizens in the EU and vice versa.
The agreement also includes provision for a “transition period” through 31 December 2020, and potentially longer by agreement, during which the UK and EU will, for all intents and purposes, continue to trade unaltered.
What happens if there is no agreement?
In the absence of agreement, the UK will leave the EU on 12 April 2019, under the following conditions:
- No deal on the terms of future trade.
- World Trade Organization tariffs.
- Delays as new border controls are introduced, affecting just-in-time manufacturing processes, the delivery of essential food and medicine, and many other aspects of life in the UK that are taken for granted.
The insurance industry has responded to the potential loss of the ability to pass services freely across borders within the EU by adapting their business models and ensuring with little exception that customers in both the UK and elsewhere in the EU can continue to be served. This has come at considerable cost, with some estimating more than USD 500 million has been spent on Brexit planning by the UK insurance industry.
How employers should prepare
With little time before the UK’s exit and a lack of clarity, businesses are faced with having to prepare for the worst, while hoping for a better outcome. Lockton has engaged with regulators, trade bodies, politicians and insurers to prioritize continuity of client service and provide expert advice through unprecedented change in the European political environment. Lockton’s own European platform has received regulatory approval and is ready to be implemented at short notice, should it be required.
From an employee benefits perspective, Lockton is advising its multinational clients with operations in the EU to consider the following issues as a priority:
1. Citizens’ rights: EU citizens working in the UK may qualify for “Settled Status,” enabling them to continue working in the UK. Human resources teams should be ensuring they provide support and assistance, as we have witnessed increased anxiety. The situation relating to UK citizens in the EU is less clear, and so ensuring any foreign nationals in a company’s workforce are identified and provided support should be high on the Brexit list of priorities.
2. Travel insurance: EU citizens are entitled to free medical treatment anywhere in the EU. The UK’s departure from the EU without a deal will bring this to an end, potentially affecting travel insurance arrangements.
3. Insurance purchasing: Transacting insurance in the EU is highly regulated and, in many countries, it is illegal to transact insurance from a third country. Many insurance programs are delivered to European multinational companies on a “Freedom of Services” basis. A review of insurance contracts for any cross-border arrangements, where the policy is currently sited in the UK, should be undertaken and professional advice sought if in any doubt.
Should you have any concerns about the impact of Brexit on your employee benefits arrangements please contact your Lockton service team for assistance. Note, the situation with Brexit is fluid, and developments are occurring daily. We will update this Alert if the developments impact the three areas of advice we have provided here.
