Southwark and Brexit

Find out about what our new relationship with the EU means for the borough, and what we’re doing to mitigate the impact of Brexit on our residents, businesses and organisations.

On 31 December 2020, the Brexit transition period came to an end and the UK left the European Union (EU). Our relationship with the EU is now governed by the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), along with a number of supplementary agreements. Central to the TCA is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which covers our economic and social partnership with the EU, including trade in goods and services, with new rules on exports, imports, tariffs and hiring EU citizens.

Our new relationship with the EU is a more distant one, posing new challenges to those who wish to move between the UK and EU to live and to work, and to UK businesses wishing to trade with EU countries. As we settle into the new relationship and as the TCA evolves, opportunities will undoubtedly present themselves too.

Although the transition period is behind us, Brexit continues to cause significant uncertainty for many individuals, businesses and organisations. We remain committed to doing everything we can to mitigate the impact of Brexit on our communities across the borough. This includes helping businesses that trade with the EU to understand what the new relationship means for them, and preserving the rights of EU citizens living and working in the borough.

The borough is home to over 45,000 EU citizens, and 72% of residents who took part in the referendum voted to remain in the EU. We’re extremely proud of our diverse borough and workforce. We value the contribution made by EU citizens who live and work here and who play a vital role in making our borough what it is. That's why we're encouraging EU citizens to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Southwark Brexit Panel

Established in 2018, the cross-party Brexit Panel meets to discuss the steps that we need to take to respond to the impact of the UK leaving the EU on the borough and our residents. To help inform the council's response to Brexit, the panel continues to take evidence from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including businesses, local public services, and voluntary and community organisations.

Find out more about the work of the panel.

In early 2019, the panel made a number of recommendations to Southwark's Cabinet to prepare for the impact of Brexit on the council. These recommendations were agreed by cabinet on 22 January 2019 and have shaped the council's preparations since.

Page last updated: 26 April 2021