With uncertainty continuing to surround the Brexit deal, many questions remain about what will happen if the UK leaves with no agreement at all. The panellists discussed the challenges - and the opportunities - that Bristol will face when the UK leaves the EU on 29 March.

Topics discussed included the no-deal Brexit scenario; managing EU staff; addressing the skills gap; trading with the EU; opportunities for business; and to what extent Bristol is prepared for Brexit.

Panellists provided advice for businesses

Above all, good communication was advocated while preparing for all scenarios: play safe, communicate with and stay close to stakeholders, and think ahead on issues such as cash flow and travel requirements.  

• Communicate with suppliers and other third parties, organisations and individuals that can indirectly affect your business; have a more detailed understanding of their plans and responses to the exit scenarios, be it no deal or through a Withdrawal Agreement.
• There should be more discussion in Bristol. Businesses, particularly small businesses, are reticent about sharing plans or feel they don't have enough knowledge to have the conversations. Bristol is innovative; businesses need to embrace the mentality of the city and its history and work together. 
• Businesses should ignore the political 'noise' and focus on their options for deal or no deal.  In reality there aren't so many scenarios, and the contours are quite consistent for some time. Don't be put off by thinking it's too complicated - or wait until the politics get sorted out.
• Communicate with your staff. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Have a workforce available on 29 March, and make sure those critical to business aren't travelling.  

They also discussed the impact on businesses with EU staff

Professor Tonia Novitz, expert in employment law, commented:

"We're in an interesting transitional period. The current government is determined to provide opportunities for EU recruitment.

Helping staff apply for settled / pre-settled status should be very straight forward. A pilot for those working in higher education has been supported by the University and has been very swift and straight forward. Clarification is needed on how this will roll out to other businesses."

Current information regarding application for 'settled status' is available on the government website: 'Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families', as are plans for a no-deal Brexit (European Temporary Leave to Remain): Government outlines no deal arrangements for EU citizens.

Matt Griffith, head of Policy Business West, which provides a range of advice for members, discussed funding advice. While there are few formal government grants in Bristol, a grant small businesses should be aware of is one that HMRC will provide for upgrading IT (£750 per person), and other HMRC grants are available for export/import.

The Bristol City Region Brexit Assembly was chaired by Hannah Baker, the Business Editor of the Bristol Post.

The panel of experts included:

• Matt Griffith - Director of Policy at Business West
• Tonia Novitz - University of Bristol Law School
• Anna Wallace - Head of Reputation at PwC
• Katrina McWhinnie - Brexit Strategist at The McWhinnie Consultancy
• Rob Perks - Chief Executive of business support organisation Inspire