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UK policy

UK policy

All the latest news, responses and positions from RICS regarding UK policy

RICS is placing an emphasis on three main policy areas: Housing, Town centre and high street renewal and Sustainable infrastructure.

In all three areas we are using a range of evidence - such as RICS market survey data and our research and insight papers – and collaborating with sectoral leaders and RICS professionals from across the UK to develop thought leadership positions in the public interest.

 

RICS Government Advocacy

Brexit news & information

RICS Policy Commentary

RICS Policy Position Statement

 

Government Advocacy

Brexit

As the UK has left the European Union and is no longer a member state, it is important that RICS regulated firms and professionals affected by the changes take time to review the arrangements they have in place and make sure that they are prepared. 

For firms and individuals in the UK, the UK Government has provided a Brexit checker to understand how the changes may impact you.

Some key issues you may wish to consider are outlined below.

Brexit transition key issues

  • Those who are EU, EEA or Swiss nationals and who live in the UK on 31 December 2020 will need to register for the UK settlement scheme by 30 June 2021. More information on this can be found on the UK Government employer toolkit.

  • The UK government has, on a transitional basis, deemed all EU and EEA member states to be adequate for the purposes of data protection, ensuring that data flows from the UK to the EU/EEA remain unaffected. The Treaty agreed with the EU will also allow personal data to flow freely from the EU and EEA to the UK for up to six months to allow more time for an adequacy decision to be made. As a precaution during this period, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office recommends that firms transferring personal data from the EU to the UK put in place alternative transfer mechanisms, to safeguard against any interruption to the free flow of EU to UK personal data. Further information and guidance can be found on the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website.

  • The process for importing and exporting goods between the UK and the EU has changed. Please view the UK Government guidance for businesses for more information.

  • The recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and EU is important for those who wish to move or work across Europe, or those in Europe looking to work in the UK.

    Previously, under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive (PQD) RICS was recognised as the Competent Authority to award Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) and Associate (AssocRICS) professional qualifications. As a result, RICS members were recognised as part of the ‘general system’ of qualifications recognition in the Directive.

    Now that the transition period has ended, RICS is no longer listed as a Competent Authority under the PQD. In practice we do not anticipate this will affect members, because:

    1. RICS’ professional qualifications are usually based on market need, rather than required under legislation, and as such are not impacted by the PQD;
    2. RICS’ professional qualifications did not benefit from ‘automatic’ recognition under the PQD;
    3. professional mobility and recognition applications to RICS under the PQD are very few in number; and,
    4. we continue to deliver professional qualification assessments in European countries

    If you are concerned about your qualification please contact globaleqs@rics.org.

Browse more Brexit content

COVID-19

This is an extremely busy and tumultuous period for the RICS Government Relations and Professional Groups teams who are in regular contact with UK and devolved national Government Ministers and departmental officials to share our insights and provide expert advice on policy and legislation proposals.

RICS policy commentary

RICS would now like to see clear government action to fix the host of challenges facing the built environment.

RICS Policy Position Statements