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Chambers holding Brexit event near Cannock

Staffordshire companies seeking to refresh their understanding on the impact of Brexit are being invited to an event near Cannock.

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Henrietta Brealey

GReater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is holding a clinic on Thursday, January 30, to hear the latest thinking from guest speakers. They will outline fundamental Brexit areas they should be aware of followed by an opportunity to speak experts.

The free clinic takes place at the Roman Way Hotel, Watling Street, starting at 12.30pm with a networking lunch.

To reserve a place, go to: https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/networking-events/events-calendar/listing/the-brexit-clinic-4/details

The chambers are posing a series of critical questions they say must be answered as the UK’s departure from the EU approaches.

Henrietta Brealey, policy and strategic relationships director at GBCC, said: “Just because we leave the EU next Friday, it doesn’t mean Brexit is over. We believe that there are 10 critical questions that businesses’ need answers to in order to plan for the future with any certainty.”

The 10 questions have been compiled in conjunction with the Chamber’s Brexit Advisory Group and draw on research conducted by the GBCC’s policy team.

The Brexit Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent in the coming days. The UK will then officially leave the EU at 11pm on Friday, January 31, when the transition period begins.

Henrietta said: "The UK is aiming to agree a new trade deal with the EU by the 31 December, 2020, deadline. It’s a tight timeframe and as it stands will give businesses little time to adapt to whatever this future relationship brings.

"It is critical that the Government provides real clarity on these key questions so that businesses, who create the jobs and growth that keep this country moving, know what to plan for.

"2020 is the year that Brexit stops being a concept and becomes a reality. Businesses need detail. The time for sweeping statements and broad pledges is over."

Between May 28 and November 30, 2GBCC surveyed 561 businesses across the West Midlands Combined Authority area through The Business Brexit Health Check.

It saw 40 per cent of firms reporting employing EU nationals, 47 per cent reporting buying goods from EU nations and 40 per cent selling goods to EU nations.

The GBCC is also holding a free EU Settlement Scheme lunch briefing in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on February 18 to provide advice on employers’ obligations and best practice on supporting EU nationals in their workforce: https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/networking-events/events-calendar/listing/the-eu-settlement-scheme-employer-briefing/details

The GBCC has also published an extensive guide to all of the Brexit issues and they are available at: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/brexit

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