On 29^th March, the United Kingdom government triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, following a swift approval process through the UK legislature.  This kick-started the two-year notice period for the UK’s official exit from the European Union. 

Here’s a brief timeline looking ahead to the key stages leading up to the moment of Brexit:

• 29 April 2017: European Council will meet to agree the EU’s negotiating guidelines for Brexit
• June 2017: formal negotiations likely to commence on the arrangements for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the EU
• October 2018: date by which the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has indicated he wants to conclude Brexit negotiations, to allow time for the EU ratification process
• 29 March 2019: date of formal exit of the United Kingdom from the EU, unless the UK and the European Council agree to extend the period
• After Brexit: UK Parliament deals with domestic legislative consequences of exiting the UK.

In defiance of some predictions, the UK economy remains buoyant.  Please see Investing in the UK: overseas business representatives for further information about this and the investment opportunities it represents.

For employers in the UK concerned about Brexit: how to plan ahead and keep your workforce happy, we set out some practical steps to take now.

            

 

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