EU and the UK
date: 06/09/2019
European Commission issues a final call to all EU citizens and businesses to prepare for the UK's withdrawal on 31 October 2019
With eight weeks to go until the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union on 31 October 2019, on 4 September the European Commission published its sixth Brexit preparedness Communication and reiterated its call on all stakeholders in the EU27 to prepare for a ‘no-deal' scenario. In light of the continued uncertainty in the United Kingdom regarding the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement and the overall domestic political situation, a ‘no-deal' scenario on 1 November 2019, remains a possible, although undesirable, outcome. The Commission issued a detailed checklist to help those businesses that trade with the UK to make final preparations. It also proposed to the European Parliament and the Council to make targeted technical adjustments to the duration of the EU's ‘no-deal' contingency measures in the area of transport. Finally, the Commission has proposed that the European Solidarity Fund and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund are available to support businesses, workers and member states most affected by a ‘no-deal' scenario.
UK-based researchers benefit from ERC funding
Sixty-four UK-based early career researchers will benefit from around €98 (£88.7m) of EU funding to set up their own research teams and conduct pioneering research across all disciplines. The grants are part of the EU Research and Innovation programme, Horizon 2020.
Plymouth City Council's "green minds" awarded nearly €4m of EU funding
An urban rewilding, training and communications programme developed by Plymouth City Council has been awarded nearly €4m (£3.7m) of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding. Green Minds was one of five projects promoting sustainable use of land and natured based solutions chosen under the latest call for proposals for Urban Innovative Actions: an EU programme which supports urban authorities to experiment with bold and innovative solutions to urban challenges.
Regiostars Awards 2019: cross border healthcare project among finalists
A cross border community paramedic project covering remote areas in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland is among 24 finalists of this year's Regiostars Awards. The EU co-funded project – Cooperation and Working Together (link is external) (CAWT) – focuses on four localities and involves paramedics who have received special training to treat people in their communities or own homes rather than transport them to busy A&E hospital units.
Latest news on the Article 50 negotiations can be found here