PROMOTING FINANCIAL WELLNESS
LEGAL: THE
IMPACT OF
BREXIT
With the implications of Brexit
looming, Perkbox spoke to Huw Cooke,
Employment Lawyer at Burges Salmon on
what employers need to know.
W
ith so much speculation
and uncertainty in the
press around the issue
of immigration, it is
important to remember that there
has not actually been any change to
the immigration rules yet. However,
the situation is understandably
unsettling for both businesses and
affected employees. What steps can
businesses take to limit the impact of
this uncertainty as well as the impact
Brexit may have for EEA workers in the
longer term?
INTRODUCTION
All the talk of the impact of Brexit on
EEA nationals has been understandably
2O
concerning for the individuals affected
as well as for the businesses who have
relied on freedom of movement to
employ EEA nationals in the UK. Many
employers have been dealing with
questions from employees about the
impact that Brexit will have on their or
their families’ immigration status.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT – NO
CHANGES EXPECTED
In the period up to Brexit, we do not
anticipate any immediate changes to the
immigration rules. The UK will still be a
member of the EU and this means that
EEA citizens will continue to have the
freedom to live and work here.
THE UNKNOWN – LONGER
TERM SPECULATION
When the UK leaves the EU, the
principle of freedom of movement from
EU member states will fall away. This
may mean that European nationals
will need to apply for immigration
permission to live and work in the
UK. No one knows if this will be
under the UK’s current ‘points-based’
immigration system or a completely
new arrangement. Neither do we know
whether any such permission would be
indefinite or temporary, exactly who it
may be available to and what criteria
and application process will apply.