UKs ugliest word of the year

Back in the days, where the ‘ugliest word of the year’ haven’t affected society, we kind of made fun out of the choosen word. We used this unloved word whenever and whereever we could, just for fun.

Today, I am getting quickly annoyed of that word  everyone seems to talk about. The word what caused already a lot of problems, suffer and anger in the same time. The word everyone is not even about how much more damage it will cause. The word which started speculations, indications, closures and arguments. The word what let’s us from other countries look like unwanted immigrants. The word which would never caused such problems if we all would have listened carefully to John Lennon’s famous lyrics of “Imagine”...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people living life in peace.

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people sharing all the world.

Do you also start thinking now about the “ifs” the “woulds” and the “coulds”? Then you feel my pain and you also might understand why I started to feel very irritated about the whole thing.... BREXIT

Often I get asked how this could affect me at all since I live now since such a long time in the United Kingdom. It’s quite easy to explain:

1) The contents of my shopping basket changed...

Almost 30% of our food currently comes from the EU, and it is likely that some foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruit, will become more scarce and more expensive in the event of no deal.

Increased import taxes and transport delays could all mean a rise in prices. And if a no-deal Brexit was followed by a fall in the value of the pound, that would also have the same effect.

Supermarkets themselves have warned that there could be empty shelves and higher prices. And Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said that, in a worst-case scenario, our shopping bills could increase by 10%.

The government has said that while a no-deal Brexit alone won't lead to food shortages, consumer behaviour could. Panic buying could mean food retailers run short of some products. 

In preparation, supermarkets say, they have been stockpiling some foods - but they are unable to do that for some fresh fruit and veg. Sainsbury's has also said October would be one of the worst times for the UK to exit the EU without a deal because warehouse capacity is already strained by he seasonal stock build-up ahead of Black Friday and Christmas, limiting supermarkets' ability to store goods ahead of Brexit.

Shoppers planning to buy from companies based in the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland after a no-deal Brexit have also been warned credit and debit card charges may be higher and payments may take longer. 

2) We will need to take extra measures when travelling to Europe

Millions of people from the UK travel abroad each year - the vast majority of journeys made to Europe.

With this issues with passports, visas, border control, health cover, travel itself and bank cards will arise.

3) Medication might be not available or it may be more expensive

Ministers and NHS leaders say every effort is being made to ensure there will be enough medicines and clinical equipment available in the event of delays to imports from the EU. While there are regular fluctuations in medicine supplies, there are concerns a no-deal Brexit could make shortages worse. 

About three-quarters of the medicines and most of the clinical products we use come from or via the EU. 

4) EU citizens need to apply for 'settled status'

Just today I had to experience a complete different level of frustration. Visiting the local migrants help group to get informed about options, opportunities and help for applications. The UK government has reached an agreement with the EU, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, that will protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members living in the UK.

There are about 3.7 million EU citizens living in the UK.

5) Importing goods from the EU may get more expensive

Importing goods from the EU is likely to get more expensive when free movement of goods ends with the UK's departure.

As a member of the EU, UK firms don't have to pay extra duties, taxes or have customs checks on goods travelling to or from the EU.

But after a no-deal Brexit, new rules will apply. UK businesses will need to apply the same processes to EU trade that apply when trading with the rest of the world.

Working in the event and tourism (inbound) industry (link) I am predominantly working with the European market. We organise corporate events, incentives and travel experiences in/to Scotland. With all uncertainties arising our clients have decided not to invest in an event or in travelling in UK. But with us specialised in tailor-made whisky tours we also face the problem coming up with the whisky market. What will it mean for us and how will we be able to generate business in future?

Running your own business as entrepreneur during such a difficult time obviously affects your entire life circumstances. Therefore also social contacts such as family, friends and colleagues and everywhere you can feel a tightness. Trying to find answers and security is tiring and you come to the conclusion that whatever will happen it will happen anyway. But thanks to Brexit supporters such as David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson the United Kingdom’s economy will crash...sooner or later. But the perspective on Brexit is changing... read here

Farewell Europe. Farewell “united” Kingdom