Huge Virtual Event Considers Economic Landscape And Brexit

Brexit

The GGF Members’ Week has been hailed for delivering the industry’s first major virtual event - with heavy-weight topics including the economic landscape and Brexit included in an array of discussions.

The three day event ran from 29 September to 1 October and consisted of 18 guest speakers/panellists speaking at 10 online events with 450 delegates registered.

 

 “The whole week of events was very impressive with perhaps the Brexit 2021 debate the most outstanding. The speakers the GGF garnered for the Members’ Week events were second to none in their given fields and I am sure all members who attended found the presentations relevant for their business.”

– Mark Austin 

President, Glass & Glazing Federation

 

Down to business

Following the Annual General Meeting and re-election of the GGF’s bankers and auditors, a Summary of Proposals was presented by John Agnew with an update on the progress of the work from the Chairperson’s Forum held in February this year and the subsequent Strategic Working Group, which was formed in July to follow up on the issues raised by the Chairs of the GGF’s technical groups, committees, regions and countries.

 

Session topics covered included:

  • The economy – status and potential scenarios.

  • Brexit 2021 – The end of the Transition Period.

  • CE marking and the new UKCA mark guidance.

  • Product substitution and standardisation.

  • Media glass technology.

  • Digital marketing and business growth.

  • Health and safety in a new and very different norm.

  • Training in the industry.

  • The environmental factors industry must consider.

  • Research and Development and tax relief.

The GGF has uploaded the presentations and video links of the events onto the GGF webpage - Click Here

 

Economic landscape

By Professor Noble Francis, Economics Director of the Construction Products Association.

The webinar was one of the best attended with potential scenarios on the economy presented.After the webinar, Professor Francic said: “My presentation covered how we see the recovery developing over the next 12-18 months for the UK economy and for the key construction sectors. In addition, the presentation covered what the key issues currently are for firms in construction as well as the key risks and opportunities.”

Professor Francis’ presentation and his economic scenarios are available for download from the GGF website www.ggf.org.uk

 

Brexit - 2021 debated

An expert panel from industry and politics gathered to debate the impact of Brexit, while GK Strategy (political advisers of the GGF) hosted the online panel discussion which focused on the UK after the end of the Brexit Transition Perio, and what it may mean for the glass and glazing sector and the wider British economy.

 

The expert panel included:

  • Rt. Hon. David Laws – Former Liberal Democrat MP and Cabinet Office Minister.

  • Dave Dalton – Chief Executive Officer, British Glass.

  • Jeff May – Director of Government Relations and Business Development, Construction Products Association (CPA).

Members in attendance had the opportunity to ask panellists questions on a range of subjects including the future of the UK’s environmental standards; the potential disadvantage of UK businesses having to conform to two different sets of product standards; and the politics around a future trading agreement.

GK provided an overview and status of the UK/EU future trading relationship negotiations and outlined the key issues that may impact the sector as the UK prepares to leave the European Union with or without a deal. These were grouped as - the movement of goods; the movement of people; and product standards.

 

Status of UK/EU negotiations

Political strategic adviser, David Laws outlined that, although timeframes are tight for an agreement there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospect of the two sides reaching an agreement. There are increasingly positive signals that the two sides are moving closer together on issues of contention including governance of state aid measures, fisheries policy and the watering down of the controversial Internal Market Bill. However, despite these positive signals, Laws said that there was still 'approximately a 30% chance that no further agreement would be reached and businesses need to prepare for different eventualities'.

 

Movement of goods

The panel outlined that although negotiations will determine the extent of checks on the UK-EU border and the levels of tariffs and quotas on goods, the core framework for the new border operating model has been published. Known as the Border Operating Model (BOM), the BOM will be phased in from 1st January 2021 and all businesses will be required to complete point of importation customs requirements for all goods from 1 July 2021. Businesses should make preparations to do this from the New Year.

For exports, there will not be a similar grace period and all businesses will need to comply with EU measures on exports from third countries from 1 January 2021. All businesses that import and export from the EU should investigate which steps they need to take in advance of 2021.

Since the panel discussion, the Border Operating Model has been updated with further detail on the requirements on hauliers exporting via Kent and the financial penalties if they are not compliant with ‘Checker HGV’.

 

Movement of People

Regardless of the outcome of negotiations, the UK will implement a new points-based immigration system from 1 January 2021. The new immigration system will only apply to new arrivals (following 1 January 2021). EU citizens living and working in the UK will be allowed to stay through the EU Settlement Scheme.

All applicants will need to meet criteria in order to qualify, including: a job offer from an 'approved employer' at an 'appropriate skill level'; and English language proficiency. The Government defines appropriate skill level as RQF3 or above (equivalent to A-Level). Additional points are granted to applicants if the profession is on the shortage of occupation list or the offer has a salary of over £25,600. The panel noted that glazing professionals are not currently on the Shortage of Occupation list.

 

Product standards

The panel outlined that product standards are still subject to negotiations but the UK has announced plans to replace CE marking with a new UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark from 2021. It is expected that the UK will accept both marks on products placed on the UK market for a time-limited period following the transition period.

Businesses should be aware that, if no agreement is reached in talks, products covered by the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) by Notified Bodies and Technical Assessment Bodies (TABs) in the UK will no longer be permitted on the EEA market.

To see GK Strategy’s presentation at Members’ Week - Click Here

 

Picture: Brexit was discussed at length at the GGF virtual Members' week. 

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
16th October 2020

Share



Related Articles