Brexit

Brexit

On 31 January 2020 (Exit Day), the UK ceased to be an EU Member State and entered an implementation period, during which it continued to be subject to EU law. Transitional provisions in the UK legislation implementing the Withdrawal Agreement, namely the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (EU(WA)A 2020) amended the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EU(W)A 2018) so that EU law continued to take effect in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement during that time. For further information, see Practice Note: Brexit—introduction to the Withdrawal Agreement.

Exit day was key in terms of being the date the UK ceased to be an EU Member State, but in terms of the legal impact, IP completion day (11 pm on 31 December 2020) was the date that the majority of key domestic legal changes associated with Brexit began to take effect.

On 24 December 2020, the European Commission and UK government announced an agreement in principle on the legal terms of the UK-EU relationship beyond IP completion day. Announced just one week before IP completion day, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), and associated

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Construction News

JCT 2024 contracts—good faith in practice

Construction analysis: In this Insight, Shy Jackson considers the scope and implications of the parties’ obligation to work together in good faith under the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) 2024 contracts.

BPF publishes blog post on Building Safety Levy

The British Property Federation (BPF) has published a blog post as part of its Spotlight Series, providing insights from its Director of Policy, Ian Fletcher, on the Building Safety Levy (BSL). The blog explains what the BSL is, when it will take effect, specific exemptions, how the government plans to use the money raised, and the BPF's view on the BSL. The BSL, set to take effect in autumn 2025, is a charge that residential developers will pay when seeking building approval, with the government aiming to raise £3bn over ten or more years. The blog outlines certain exemptions, such as affordable housing and care homes, among others, and notes that a substantial reduction is expected for developments on previously developed land. It explains that the BSL is part of the government’s plan to recover costs allocated to the Building Safety Funds. The BPF advocated for the BSL to be based on floorspace and secured the reduced rate for previously developed land, but expressed disappointment that Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, Build-to-Rent, and communal spaces were not exempted.

ONS announces 0.4% increase in construction output for November 2024

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published data on the construction output for November 2024, indicating a 0.4% increase in output volume. This was attributed to increases in new work (0.3%) and repair and maintenance (0.5%). At the sectoral level, five out of the nine sectors saw growth in November 2024. The main contributors to this increase were private commercial new work (3.1%) and non-housing repair and maintenance (1.1%). Construction output is estimated to have increased by 0.2% over the three months leading up to November 2024, attributed to an increase in new work (0.4%), as repair and maintenance remained flat (0.0%) over this period.

RIBA publishes formal response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its formal response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, accepting its findings. RIBA reviewed the report and responded to the recommendations within its remit, focusing on regulatory, structural, and operational aspects. The response also identifies areas not addressed in the report, such as procurement processes and client decision-making.