BREXIT
Prior to the United Kingdom (UK) formally leaving the European Union (EU) on 31st December 2020, BASDA had a special interest group that attempted to interpret the probable changes needed when considering a whole range of issues associated with the UK’s departure. The group met weekly and shared information between members and provided a conduit for seeking clarification from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and other UK Government Agencies. Part of this process included arranging webinars for BASDA members, our guests from the Institute of Directors (IoD) and colleagues from the Association of Freight Software Suppliers (AFSS). The webinars dealt with as many aspects of getting prepared for BREXIT as could be arranged.
Given an agreement between the UK and EU was not in place until late on 24th December 2020 (less than three working days before its implementation), there was still much to be done.
Post BREXIT
This working party exchanges information through member sharing webinars and government departments. Questions are funnelled through to HMRC where response times are typically a couple of working days at most.
Issues around BREXIT rules for now dealing with trade between the UK and the EU have been exacerbated by the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) that has caused significant problems for Businesses in the UK. Because Northern Ireland (NI) is expected to follow all EU rules (to facilitate a soft border between Ireland and NI) it must (now) adopt a different set of rules for trading with Great Britain (GB – England, Scotland & Wales). By the same token, GB companies when trading with NI must provide full export (or import) documentation for all transactions.
If you would like more information about the BBWP please email marketing@basda.org
Commercial Opportunities
Watching and understanding all developments will ensure that commercial opportunities for BASDA members are maintained. Businesses with cross border supply chains have had to re-think operational processes, automate procedures and improve backroom efficiencies. As a result, these companies are highly likely to require help from BASDA members.
Customs Duties, Tax and Tariffs
The NIP has introduced an unexpected level of complexity for all UK businesses that are continuing to be interpreted and understood. By the same token, organisations like HMRC are also continuing to develop their own systems to ensure compliance with the rules that, in some circumstances, are simply not straight forward. Additionally, although there is ‘an agreement’ in many areas of trade, some have yet to be refined. This includes understanding how Value Added Taxation (VAT) is applied to all types of goods and services (whether physical deliveries or electronic delivery of software and services). As the UK is no longer part of the EU there is no longer the ability to simply offset VAT charged on supplies from EU suppliers, and there is a need to register in the EU if making taxable supplies to EU based customers.
The PBWP tries to better understand the issues associated with the new rules and regulations and thus be able to circulate to BASDA members all relevant updates and interpretations to better allow BASDA members respond to them.
Employment and Talent Acquisition
Many software development firms in the UK routinely employ EU nationals, both internally and remotely. According to Tech UK, one in six new hires between 2009 and 2015 were EU citizens. There is no longer the ‘free bi-directional movement’ of people between EU states and the UK. There are limits on how long a UK National can reside in EU countries (and each country may have its own rules) and there are limits for how long an EU National can visit the UK. As information becomes available it is disseminated through the PBWP to all BASDA members.
Alternatives to EU Research Grants
Now that the UK has left EU, access to EU research grants has come to an end. Although this will affect only a proportion of BASDA members, we will be exploring the alternative options for Research & Development (R&D) as we believe these are particularly valuable for new and growing software development companies.
News and Insights
Keep up to date with Industry News and Insights from across the BASDA membership.
BASDA Welcomes PayFit as a New Member
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BASDA Welcomes BrightTax as a New Member
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BASDA Welcomes Acting Office Limited as a New Member
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Special Interest Groups
Established Specialist Interest Groups led by members on behalf of members addressing key issues that impact the software industry and our customers.
SIG: Ability
The focus of this SIG is to engage with relevant, key government departments and agencies along with specialists across public and private sectors to develop awareness, create best practice methodologies for inclusive design and accessibility for members and to add value to their brands, propositions and addressable markets.
SIG: Accountants in Practice
Focussing on matters affecting the software products that firms of accountants use and, by extension, their clients. We provide an early introduction to matters in the regulatory and compliance environment.
SIG: Construction
Representing members on the Operational Forum of HMRC's Construction Industry Scheme to contribute to the discussion on the operation of the scheme and ensure software changes are prioritised and appropriately considered.
SIG: Interoperability & Standards
The requirement is for electronic exchange to become the predominant invoicing method by 2020 continues. BASDA focuses on enabling members to maximise eBusiness Technology and to facilitate the widest possible and seamless adoption and support interoperability.
SIG: Payments & Finance
A forum designed to inform and educate on the best-in-class payment infrastructure and standards for the benefit of our members and their customers. We seek to maintain close links to national and international payment systems and wherever possible, influence the direction of travel and implementation of policy.
SIG: Payroll, Pensions & HR
Representing members at Government decision making level to influence the requirements and legislation being introduced. We provide the opportunities to help influence decision making and implementation, in addition to providing foresight and product planning information vital for development road maps.