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Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU
(7 days later)
The UK is due to leave the European Union (EU) at 23:00 GMT on 31 October 2019. For those not following every twist and turn, this guide covers the basics.The UK is due to leave the European Union (EU) at 23:00 GMT on 31 October 2019. For those not following every twist and turn, this guide covers the basics.
What is Brexit?What is Brexit?
Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU.Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU.
What is the European Union?What is the European Union?
The EU is an economic and political union involving 28 European countries. It allows free trade and free movement of people to live and work in whichever country they choose.The EU is an economic and political union involving 28 European countries. It allows free trade and free movement of people to live and work in whichever country they choose.
The UK joined in 1973 (when it was known as the European Economic Community). If the UK leaves as planned on 31 October, it would be the first member state to withdraw from the EU. The UK joined in 1973 (when it was known as the European Economic Community). If the UK leaves, it would be the first member state to withdraw from the EU.
Why is the UK leaving?Why is the UK leaving?
A public vote - or referendum - was held on Thursday 23 June 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.A public vote - or referendum - was held on Thursday 23 June 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.
Leave won by 52% to 48%. The referendum turnout was very high at 72%, with more than 30 million people voting - 17.4 million people voted for Brexit. Leave won by 52% to 48%. The referendum turnout was very high at 72%, with more than 30 million people voting - 17.4 million people opting for Brexit.
Why hasn't Brexit happened yet?Why hasn't Brexit happened yet?
Brexit was due to happen on 29 March 2019. That was two years after then Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 - the formal process to leave - and kicked off negotiations. But the Brexit date has been delayed twice. Brexit was originally due to happen on 29 March 2019. That was two years after then Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 - the formal process to leave - and kicked off negotiations. But the Brexit date has been delayed twice.
The UK and the EU agreed a deal in November 2018 but MPs rejected it three times. A deal was agreed in November 2018, but MPs rejected it three times.
What is the Brexit deal?What is the Brexit deal?
The deal consisted of a binding withdrawal agreement - which set out the terms for the "divorce" process - and a non-binding political declaration on the nature of the future relationship between the UK and EU. The deal consisted of a withdrawal agreement - which set out the terms for the "divorce" process. There was also a political declaration - which outlined the future relationship between the UK and EU.
The withdrawal agreement covered a range of things including:The withdrawal agreement covered a range of things including:
Why did Parliament reject the Brexit deal?Why did Parliament reject the Brexit deal?
The main sticking point for many Conservative and DUP MPs was the backstop.The main sticking point for many Conservative and DUP MPs was the backstop.
Currently, there are no border posts, physical barriers or checks on people or goods crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The backstop is designed to ensure that continues after the UK leaves the EU. Currently, there are no border posts or physical barriers between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The backstop is designed to ensure that continues after the UK leaves the EU.
It comes into effect only if a comprehensive free trade deal is not quickly agreed between the UK and EU. It would keep the UK effectively inside the EU's customs union but with Northern Ireland also conforming to some rules of the single market. The backstop would only be needed if a permanent solution to avoid border checks could not be found. If it was needed, the backstop would keep the UK in a close trading relationship with the EU to avoid checks altogether.
Critics say a different status for Northern Ireland could threaten the existence of the United Kingdom and fear that the backstop could become permanent. But supporters say it is necessary to maintain peace in Northern Ireland. But many MPs were critical. They said if the backstop was used, the UK could be trapped in it for years. This would leave the UK stuck in the EU's customs union, preventing the country from striking trade deals with other countries.
Could the UK leave with no deal? Their opposition eventually led to Theresa May's resignation.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants the EU to remove the backstop from the deal. He wants "alternative arrangements" and technological solutions instead. What deal does Boris Johnson want?
But the EU has so far refused to change the backstop. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who took over from Mrs May, says the EU must remove the backstop from the deal.
Mr Johnson has said the UK must leave on 31 October, even if that is without a deal. Under his plan, Northern Ireland would stay in the European single market for goods but leave the customs union. This would mean new customs checks, most of which, Mr Johnson insists, could be done electronically and away from the border.
That means the UK will leave the customs union and single market overnight. The EU is considering the plan, but has previously rejected a technology-led approach to custom declarations.
If the plan is rejected, Mr Johnson says the UK will leave on 31 October anyway.
What are the customs union and the single market?What are the customs union and the single market?
The customs union ensures that all EU countries charge the same taxes on goods coming in from outside. They do not charge taxes on each other's goods. But members cannot strike their own trade deals.The customs union ensures that all EU countries charge the same taxes on goods coming in from outside. They do not charge taxes on each other's goods. But members cannot strike their own trade deals.
The single market enables goods, services, people and money to move between all 28 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, who are members of the European Economic Area. Countries in the single market apply many common rules and standards. The single market enables goods, services, people and money to move freely between all EU member states. Most rules and standards are the same - that means goods don't need to be checked when they move around. It also means EU citizens can live and work in different EU countries.
A UK company can sell its product (goods) in Portugal as easily as it can in Portsmouth, bring back the cash (capital), offer maintenance (services) and dispatch a repair team (people).
Will a no-deal Brexit cause disruption?
If the UK leaves the customs union and single market then the EU will start carrying out checks on British goods. This could lead to delays at ports, such as Dover. Some fear that this could lead to traffic bottlenecks, disrupting supply routes and damaging the economy.
Mr Johnson has tried to calm such fears by announcing an extra £2.1bn of funding to prepare for a possible no-deal outcome on 31 October.
What happens next with Brexit?What happens next with Brexit?
Officially, the UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October 2019. The UK government says it is focused on getting a new deal agreed at an EU summit on 17 October.
However, with the risk of no deal rising, MPs from different parties voted through a law forcing the government to seek a third Brexit extension. If the sides fail to reach a deal, Mr Johnson could be forced to seek a third Brexit extension.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will have to request a Brexit extension from the EU on 19 October, pushing the deadline back to 31 January 2020. The only exception is if MPs approve a Brexit deal, or vote in favour of leaving with no deal. That's because MPs have passed a law - known as the Benn Act - that requires Mr Johnson to ask for a Brexit delay by 19 October. This will push the deadline back from 31 October, to 31 January 2020.
Should the EU want a different deadline date, Mr Johnson will be forced to accept it unless MPs vote to reject it within two days. MPs say the law is necessary in order to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
Any extension offered to the UK has to be agreed to by all members of the EU - so there's no guarantee the UK will be offered one. The PM will not have to write a letter if MPs approve a Brexit deal, or vote in favour of leaving with no deal.
Mr Johnson still insists the UK will leave on 31 October, so it's unclear how the PM will fulfil this request if the law does require him to ask for an extension. Mr Johnson still insists the UK will leave at the end of October. It is unclear how this will happen if the law does require him to ask for an extension.
What about an early election?What about an early election?
After MPs voted in favour of extending the Brexit deadline, Mr Johnson tried to call an early election.After MPs voted in favour of extending the Brexit deadline, Mr Johnson tried to call an early election.
But not enough MPs supported the PM. To trigger an early election at least two-thirds must back the idea.But not enough MPs supported the PM. To trigger an early election at least two-thirds must back the idea.
Opposition MPs say won't back an election until the law aimed at blocking a no-deal Brexit is implemented. Opposition MPs say won't back an election - or call for a vote of no confidence in the PM - until the law aimed at blocking a no-deal Brexit is implemented.
How will a no-deal Brexit affect me? Will a no-deal Brexit cause disruption?
A no-deal Brexit could affect individuals in all sorts of different ways. If the UK leaves the customs union and single market on 31 October, then the EU will start carrying out checks on British goods. This could lead to delays at ports, such as Dover. Some fear that this could lead to traffic bottlenecks, disrupting supply routes and damaging the economy.
If the pound falls sharply in response to no deal and there are significant delays at ports, like Dover, it could affect the price and availability of some foods. There are also concerns over potential shortages of medicines, although the government has said much preparation has been done to avoid this. If the pound falls sharply in response to no deal and there are significant delays at ports, like Dover, it could affect the price and availability of some foods. There are also concerns over potential shortages of medicines.
Most economists and business groups believe no deal would lead to economic harm. Mr Johnson has tried to calm such fears by announcing an extra £2.1bn of funding to prepare for a possible no-deal outcome.
Many Brexit supporters say it is hard to accurately predict what will happen or believe any economic disruption will be short-term and minor.
But most economists and business groups believe no deal would lead to economic harm.
For example, the Office for Budget Responsibility - which provides independent analysis of the UK's public finances - believes a no-deal Brexit would cause a UK recession.For example, the Office for Budget Responsibility - which provides independent analysis of the UK's public finances - believes a no-deal Brexit would cause a UK recession.
But many Brexit supporters say it is hard to accurately predict what will happen or believe any economic disruption will be short-term and minor.
EU citizens in the UK can apply for settled status, allowing them to remain in the country even if there is a no deal. UK expats in the EU are advised to register as residents of the country in which they live.
UK citizens travelling to the EU will need to ensure passports are valid for at least six months on 31 October and will require an international driving permit if intending to use a car.
European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will no longer be valid.
Pet passports will also no longer be valid.
A range of other effects and consequences have been discussed.