The debate about Brexit has focussed on big decisions, such as trade and whether Britain should remain in the customs union.
But Brexit, if it goes ahead, will also throw up a very long list of little things with significant practical consequences for ordinary people in a remarkably wide number of areas — and mostly things we didn’t know (or weren’t told about!) at the time of the referendum.
Click on the category headings for a summary of each ‘little thing’ or click on the individual links to find out in more detail.
Health
Increased waiting time for new medicines
Threat to supply and movement of radioactive isotopes for cancer treatment
One in five doctors from EEA countries already have plans to quit UK
Exacerbating the number of other unfilled posts in the NHS
If you have a prescribed medicine, the cost will go up
Reciprocal healthcare is not guaranteed
Holidays & Travel
Your driving license may not be valid outside the UK
You won’t be able to take your cat or dog on holiday so easily
Increased cost of holidays in Europe
European Health Insurance Card may no longer be valid when travelling or living in EU
Possible return of roaming charges
Queuing at road customs borders
Trips that cross over the 29th March 2018 deadline (or the end-of-transition date)
No access to pan-EU disability card
International Haulage
Shortfall of permits for UK Hauliers
Public health laboratories at ports will struggle to cope
Queues at Dover and Calais as “Operation Stack” becomes permanent
Improved EU qualifications for bus and HGV drivers may impede UK drivers’ access to EU27
Agriculture & Food
Geographically protected products threatened
Farmers to take a bigger hit than thought through lost EU workers
Shortage of official abattoir vets
Australia is preparing to ask the UK to accept hormone-treated beef
Entertainment
One of Britain’s most successful orchestras leaves UK over Brexit
Film and TV faces serious consequences if freedom of movement for creatives is lost
Ofcom, on behalf of the EU, checks most broadcasting arriving from non-EU countries
Threat to rare species as our zoos fall out of EU-wide breeding programmes
National Gallery bid to save 16th century painting failed due to drop in value of sterling
Greece may ask for return of Parthenon sculptures
Performers working internationally face several challenges
Sport
Horse-racing faces barriers for horses moving between UK and Ireland and France
Sporting events less likely to be held in UK
Premier league could lose talent
Tougher decisions on UK sport than usual
Education
Academic subjects most threatened by Brexit
UK’s international science research reputation at risk
Technology
Losing right to use .eu domain names
UK based international broadcasters will have to fall back on pre-internet agreement
Products like iPads require a services deal with EU
Miscellaneous Little Things
Less cross-border legal cooperation
Children of EU27 citizens born in to UK parents may not be able to claim UK citizenship
Serious concerns from architecture sector
Many things that already cost more
Cost of Christmas dinner up 18%
Easter Eggs could be more expensive – and stale
Pints could go up by 15% if current trajectory continues
Wine lovers face triple whammy Brexit price rise, says UK trade body
Rail fares go up by 4% at the start of 2018
Cost of car repairs up 10% in the event of no deal
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