Over 3,000 people have attended government webinars to help them get ready for the end of the transition period, with 86% of those polled saying they would take action to prepare their business as a direct result of the sessions.

With just 63 days to go till the UK begins its new start outside of the EU single market and customs union, the Business Secretary Alok Sharma is encouraging businesses across the UK to sign themselves up for a webinar to help them prepare for the changes and opportunities ahead.

This second phase of webinars - which will run throughout November - will cover key issues that could affect businesses in multiple sectors, including personal data, and regulations on manufactured goods.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

"Time is running out for businesses to get ready for the end of the transition period on 31 December and prepare for the guaranteed set of changes and opportunities ahead.

"I urge as many businesses as possible to sign up to the second phase of our webinars or visit gov.uk to see what actions need to be taken to ensure we’re ready for the UK’s new start as an independent country."

Businesses should visit gov.uk/transition, check, change, go using the transition checker, and make sure they are registered for updates.

When the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, there will be a guaranteed set of changes and opportunities for which businesses need to prepare as the UK leaves the customs union and single market, including changes to the way businesses import and export goods, and the process for hiring people from the EU.

The vast majority of these actions will need to be completed regardless of the outcome of our negotiations with the EU. These include preparing for customs procedures when trading with the EU.

The first phase of webinars, which ran throughout October, focused on specific sectors, such as retail, automotive and consumer goods.

The second phase of webinars include a focus on the following:

• changes to intellectual property
• personal data
• regulations on manufactured goods
• chemicals regulations for manufacturers