Brexit – What now?

Friday, February 28, 2020

Following on from Migration Advice Committee report on post-brexit immigration, the government has now published plans for a new points-based immigration system that will come into force on 1st January 2021, when freedom of movement between the EU and UK comes to an end.

EU citizens who live in the UK before 31 December 2020 will continue to be able to live and work in the UK as previously however if EU citizens wish to remain in the UK after 1st January 2021 then they must apply for settled or pre-settled status before 30 June 2021. 

There will be no immediate change to: 

  • Right to work checks
  • GDPR
  • Employment legislation based on European law e.g. holiday pay rights

The EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and EU (Withdrawal) Act 2020 contain provisions that effectively put any changes on hold until the implementation period is complete. The implementation period runs from 11pm on Friday 31 January 2020 to 11pm on 31 December 2020, although this could be extended.