Brexit - contingency planning
Published: 22 February 2019
Latest update on Brexit from Dr David Duncan
We last updated staff in the MyGlasgow News email of 21 January 2019. The University Court (the University’s governing body) met on 13 February 2019; we submitted a short report, which can be accessed via this link: Brexit - contingency planning (February 2019)
The situation is of course still developing. On research funding, we continue to lobby the Government through representative organisations and directly: the Government has made reassuring noises but the extent of underwrite which the Treasury is prepared to grant is still under discussion. We are aware that UKRI is undertaking a great deal of work to prepare for different scenarios. In the event of a no-deal outcome, UKRI should have the capacity to put in place its own scheme to replace ERC programme grant funding quite quickly.
With regard to outward student mobility, in the event of a no-deal outcome, the University will underwrite the cost of all ERASMUS placements which are a mandatory part of degree programmes, both undergraduate and postgraduate. In the case of non-compulsory placements, there will be flexibility for Colleges and Schools depending on their priorities. In terms of centrally-funded bursary support, we will prioritise the needs of widening access students. We will continue current efforts to establish bilateral arrangements with partners in Europe.
As previously notified, we have issued purchase orders for goods which may suffer disruption if there is a no-deal outcome. We do not currently have a solution with regard to products which have a short shelf life, such as certain types of gas used in laboratories.
On staff mobility, the current position is that in the event of a no deal, EU citizens and their family members living in the UK by 29 March 2019 will be able to secure their status and continue to work, study, and access benefits and services in the UK on the same basis as they do now by registering for settled status under the settlement scheme. We continue to support staff participating in the current pilot phase of the scheme which will open fully by 30 March 2019 as planned. The application deadline is currently 31 December 2020. Further, we are aware that the Government has not yet reimbursed individuals who have previously paid a settlement fee of £65 prior to the removal of this requirement. The University has been assured that any such refunds will be processed in the coming weeks.
The Government has also confirmed the migration arrangements for EU and EEA citizens arriving after 29 March 2019 in a no-deal scenario. These individuals will be able to travel to and enter the UK as now, but if they wish to remain for more than three months they will need to register for European Temporary Leave to Remain. This will be valid for three years. If they wish to stay after their temporary leave to remain expires, they will need to apply for permission under the future immigration system, the details of which have yet to be announced. It has not as yet been finalised whether the 3 year Temporary Leave to Remain period will count towards longer term Indefinite Leave to Remain.
In the event of a deal, the settlement scheme will remain open to existing and future non UK EEA individuals until January 2021. Should this be the case, it is anticipated there will be a single immigration system that will operate in a similar fashion to the current Tier 2 Visa & immigration arrangements applicable to non EU and EEA citizens. We are working with UUK and Russell Group to represent sector interests and influence the potential costs, administrative processes and expected salary thresholds that may apply in this scenario.
Finally, in terms of travel, the advice remains unchanged – care should be taken in the period immediately after the withdrawal date; in particular, the advice is not to book flights between EU destinations with UK-based carriers.
Passport rules for travel to most countries in Europe will change if the UK leaves the EU with no deal. After 29 March 2019 you should ensure that you have at least 6 months left on your passport from your date of arrival. This applies to adult and child passports. Further information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/passport-rules-for-travel-to-europe-after-brexit
Further information on Brexit and its implications for universities is available on the Universities UK website:
We will, of course, continue to keep you appraised of developments as they happen.
David Duncan, Chief Operating Officer
First published: 22 February 2019
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