[author: Jacqueline Cook]
In a flurry of last-minute negotiations, the EU and the UK agreed on the form of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU, European Atomic Energy Community and the UK on 24 December 2020 ( TCA ) to bring about the Brexit deal on their future relationship. As timing was extremely tight, with the end of the Brexit transition period looming a week later
1, ambassadors for each EU member state approved the TCA in principle, so it passed through EU Parliament unopposed. It was then signed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission for the EU.
The UK Parliament was recalled on 30 December 2020, and, at breakneck speed, published, debated and passed the European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 (
What do Brexit and the UK-EU trade deal mean for recruitment and staff moves?
08/01/2021
The UK and EU have secured a post-Brexit trade deal following the two sides coming to an agreement at the eleventh hour on Christmas Eve. The European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020 which brings the trade agreement, known formally as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (“TCA”), into UK law, received Royal Assent on 30 December 2020.
The overarching effect of the TCA is that the UK and EU can continue to trade without extra taxes and quotas being introduced. However, that’s not to say that it will be business as usual; rather there will be some fundamental differences in the way things operate between the two parties from 1st January 2021 onwards, not least in relation to the recruitment and movement of staff.
DUP minister Edwin Poots has been criticised for thanking a leading Brexit campaigner for his efforts following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union even though his party voted against the deal.