A scenario in which the UK leaves the EU without agreement (a ‘no deal’ scenario) remains unlikely given the mutual interests of the UK and the EU in securing a negotiated outcome.

Negotiations are progressing well and both we and the EU continue to work hard to seek a positive deal. However, it’s our duty as a responsible government to prepare for all eventualities, including ‘no deal’, until we can be certain of the outcome of those negotiations.

In a ‘no deal’ scenario, sharing of common systems, and exchange and recognition of data submitted for regulatory activities between the UK and EU Member States would cease.

This would require changes to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations with consequential implications for veterinary medicine stakeholders.

A summary outline of these changes can be viewed; Stakeholder Engagement (PDF, 346KB, 29 pages)

If you have any comments please submit these to consultation@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk as soon as possible and by no later than 19 October 2018.

Published 24 September 2018

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding customers that time is running out to register for Self Assessment.

Anyone submitting a Self Assessment return for the first time – including High Income Child Benefit Charge customers – will need to register for Self Assessment by 5 October so that they can complete their return by 31 January 2019.

If customers aren’t sure if they need to do Self Assessment they should go to Self Assessment page on GOV.UK.

HMRC also provides online webchats, live webinars, YouTube videos and social media support for customers which can be accessed at any time, and on any device, to help them fill in and file their returns.

People need to complete a tax return for 2017 to 2018 if they:

• earned more than £2,500 from renting out property
• or their partner received Child Benefit and either of them had an annual income of more than £50,000
• received more than £2,500 in other untaxed income, for example from tips or commission
• are self employed sole traders
• are limited company directors
• are shareholders
• are employees claiming expenses in excess of £2,500
• have an annual income over £100,000

Angela MacDonald, Director General of Customer Services, said:

January may seem a long time away, but if you’ve not done Self Assessment before and you’re now required to, you need to register.

We know that some customers don’t always realise they need to do Self Assessment, like those who earn more than £50,000 and receive Child Benefit, so please check if this applies to you. It’s really easy to do and doesn’t take long. If you’re not sure if you need to do Self Assessment or not, go to GOV.UK and all the information you need is there.

Notes for Editors

1. The deadline for 2017 to 2018 Self Assessment returns is 31 January 2019
2. Help is available from GOV.UK or from the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310
3. The penalties for late tax returns include: an initial £100 fixed penalty which applies even if there is no tax to pay or if the tax due is paid on time; after three months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900; after six months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater; after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater
4. There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, six months and 12 months
5. Follow HMRC Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice
6. HMRC’s Flickr channel

The UK is deeply concerned by reports that the Houthi authorities in Sana’a, Yemen, have held a mass trial of members of Yemen’s Baha’i community. 24 people – including eight women and a child – are facing charges that could result in death sentences.

Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:

The persecution of members of the Baha’i community in areas of Yemen under Houthi control due to their religious beliefs is a serious violation of international human rights law. New cases of arbitrary detention and continuing reports of the abuse of detainees by the Houthis are deeply concerning, and we wholly condemn this mistreatment.

We are working closely with our partners to raise these concerns directly with the Houthi authorities and press for the release of detained individuals. We also call on our partners to take a strong stance on this matter during the Human Rights Council this week.

Published 24 September 2018

The UK government has published a series of technical notices which set out plans to be put into place in the unlikely situation the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published 6 documents.

This information demonstrates the potential impact a no deal scenario will have on areas of transport policy, including the haulage industry and those driving in and flying to and from Europe.

The government remains confident of a deep and special partnership with the EU following exit and a mutually advantageous deal with the EU continues to be the most likely outcome.

But the DfT is making the sensible step of putting in place contingency measures to ensure holidaymakers and businesses can continue to travel and export after Brexit.

UK citizens planning a trip to Europe in the short term do not need to take immediate action. The government will set out clearly and in good time what additional steps may be required.

For business, a more proactive approach will be necessary to ensure new procedures are in place for March 2019 and details are given in the notices.

Included in measures recommended by the government today are:

• hauliers may want to take steps now to prepare for future permitting and trailer registration requirements, and to ensure drivers have the right documentation; and
• the aviation industry should review potential implications for supply chains and staff with specialist qualifications.

The government will set out additional practical measures for other transport sectors in due course.

These notices are in addition to the ongoing active engagement we continue to have with stakeholders across transport to discuss impacts and opportunities from EU Exit. These discussions will continue.

Throughout the whole of the Brexit process, the government’s aim has been to ensure that all travel – whether business or personal – remains as friction-free as possible after we leave the EU. It is our intention to recognise EU standards of security and safety and expect our European partners to do the same. It is clearly in our mutual interests to do so.

You can now read technical notices on:

1. Driving in the EU if there’s no Brexit deal
2. Vehicle insurance if there’s no Brexit deal
3. Commercial road haulage in the EU if there’s no Brexit deal
4. Reporting CO2 emissions for new cars and vans if there’s no Brexit deal
5. Aviation security if there’s no Brexit deal
6. Aviation safety if there’s no Brexit deal
7. Flights to and from the UK if there’s no Brexit deal
8. Getting an exemption from maritime security notifications if there’s no Brexit deal
9. Recognition of seafarer certificates of competency if there’s no Brexit deal
10. Vehicle type approval if there’s no Brexit deal