Warning of 'Perfect storm' brewing in Sheffield as businesses aren't prepared for Brexit

Edward Highfield, director of city growth at the council, raised concern about the preparedness of businesses for the United Kingdom’s official departure from the European Union in a recent full council meeting.

The country is due to end its transition period for leaving the EU on January 1 and people are being urged to get ready for the new rules that will affect businesses, citizens and travel.

Businesses that deal with Europe will have to follow new rules on exports, imports, tariffs, data and hiring.

Mr Highfield said: “I am worried a lot of businesses just haven’t had the bandwidth to deal with [Brexit] because they have been dealing with everything else [around Covid].

"So there is a perfect storm brewing around the impact of Brexit and the limited preparedness we have and, again, the continued uncertainty around exactly what is going to happen and what they need to do.”

The government says businesses and citizens need to act now if importing goods from the EU, exporting goods to the EU, moving goods to or from Northern Ireland, travelling to the EU, living and working in the EU or staying in the UK as an EU citizen.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.