News

News 7th December
Only 3 weeks to go but it is not clear if the UK is ready for the changes.  Businesses say they have not enough information about the checks and how everything is going to work, even if there is a deal.  They are not happy.  The computer system is not even working yet.  The French had their computer system working last year.  There will be full checks on everything which is going into France from 1^st January.  UK will not have full checks ready until 1^st July.
There are many problems to solve because the goods which come into the UK and go out of the UK are on EU lorries (85%).  Their pay is different – they are paid by distance, not by the hour.  If there are delays (everyone says there will be delays), then the lorries may not come because they won’t be paid.  Fresh fruit and vegetables will be affected because the UK does not grow much in the winter and the supplies come from south Europe.  That will be affected.
The other big concern is about Northern Ireland as food going from the UK to Northern Ireland will have to be checked as it cannot go on across the border into the rest of Ireland without EU agreement.
UK Home Office are trying to deport as many migrants as possible back to countries where they travelled from in Europe.  After 1^st January, this will not be possible as UK will not be in the EU.  Lawyers and refugee support organisations are trying to stop this as they say the people who are due to be sent back are innocent of crimes.
It is an interesting issue for people with dementia.  There are many reports from all over the UK, that hearing people with dementia come alive when they listen to music.  No one knows why.  The questions is:  what would help deaf people with dementia?  Should we have old signing films?  What replaces the music effect?