Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU

The UK is due to leave the European Union (EU) on 10-31-2019. For those not following every twist and turn, this guide covers the basics.

What is Brexit?

Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU.

What is the European Union?

The EU is an economic and political union involving 28 European countries. It allows free trade and free movement of people to live and work in whichever country they choose.

The UK joined in 1973 (when it was known as the European Economic Community). If the UK leaves as planned on October 31st, it would be the first member state to withdraw from the EU.

Why is the UK leaving?

A public vote - or referendum - was held on Thursday June 23rd 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.

Leave won by 52% to 48%. The referendum turnout was very high at 72%, with more than 30 million people voting - 17.4 million people voted for Brexit.

Why hasn't Brexit happened yet?

Brexit was due to happen on March 29th 2019. That was two years after then Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 - the formal process to leave - and kicked off negotiations. But the Brexit date has been delayed twice.

What is the Brexit deal?

The deal consisted of a binding withdrawal agreement - which set out the terms for the "divorce" process - and a non-binding political declaration on the nature of the future relationship between the UK and EU.

The withdrawal agreement covered a range of things including:

• the rights of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the EU
• how much money the UK was to pay the EU (widely thought to be ￡39bn)
• the backstop for the Irish border
• What is Theresa May's withdrawal agreement?

Why did Parliament reject the Brexit deal?

The main sticking point for many Conservative and DUP MPs was the backstop.

Currently, there are no border posts, physical barriers or checks on people or goods crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The backstop is designed to ensure that continues after the UK leaves the EU.

It comes into effect only if a comprehensive free trade deal is not quickly agreed between the UK and EU. It would keep the UK effectively inside the EU's customs union but with Northern Ireland also conforming to some rules of the single market.

Critics say a different status for Northern Ireland could threaten the existence of the United Kingdom and fear that the backstop could become permanent. But supporters say it is necessary to maintain peace in Northern Ireland.

Boris Johnson, who replaced Mrs May as prime minister, says there are "abundant" technological solutions to the Irish border question

Could the UK leave with no deal?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants the EU to remove the backstop from the deal. He wants "alternative arrangements" and technological solutions instead.

But the EU has so far refused to change the backstop.

Mr Johnson has said the UK must leave on 31 October, even if that is without a deal.

As part of no-deal plans, a section of the M20 would be reserved for lorries in the event of long delays

That means the UK will leave the customs union and single market overnight.

What are the customs union and the single market?

The customs union ensures that all EU countries charge the same taxes on goods coming in from outside. They do not charge taxes on each other's goods. But members cannot strike their own trade deals.

The single market enables goods, services, people and money to move between all 28 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, who are members of the European Economic Area. Countries in the single market apply many common rules and standards.

A UK company can sell its product (goods) in Portugal as easily as it can in Portsmouth, bring back the cash (capital), offer maintenance (services) and dispatch a repair team (people).

Will a no-deal Brexit cause disruption?

If the UK leaves the customs union and single market then the EU will start carrying out checks on British goods. This could lead to delays at ports, such as Dover. Some fear that this could lead to traffic bottlenecks, disrupting supply routes and damaging the economy.

Mr Johnson has tried to calm such fears by announcing an extra ￡2.1bn of funding to prepare for a possible no-deal outcome on October 31st.

What happens next with Brexit?

Officially, the UK is due to leave the EU on October 31st 2019.

However, with the risk of no deal rising, MPs from different parties voted through a law forcing the government to seek a third Brexit extension.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will have to request a Brexit extension from the EU on October 19th, pushing the deadline back to January 31st 2020. The only exception is if MPs approve a Brexit deal, or vote in favour of leaving with no deal.

Should the EU want a different deadline date, Mr Johnson will be forced to accept it unless MPs vote to reject it within two days.

Any extension offered to the UK has to be agreed to by all members of the EU - so there's no guarantee the UK will be offered one.

What about an early election?

After MPs voted in favour of extending the Brexit deadline, Mr Johnson tried to call an early election.

But not enough MPs supported the PM. To trigger an early election at least two-thirds must back the idea.

Opposition MPs say won't back an election until the law aimed at blocking a no-deal Brexit is implemented.

How will a no-deal Brexit affect me?

A no-deal Brexit could affect individuals in all sorts of different ways.

If the pound falls sharply in response to no deal and there are significant delays at ports, like Dover, it could affect the price and availability of some foods. There are also concerns over potential shortages of medicines, although the government has said much preparation has been done to avoid this.

Most economists and business groups believe no deal would lead to economic harm.

For example, the Office for Budget Responsibility - which provides independent analysis of the UK's public finances - believes a no-deal Brexit would cause a UK recession.

But many Brexit supporters say it is hard to accurately predict what will happen or believe any economic disruption will be short-term and minor.

Almost a third of the UK's food comes from the EU

EU citizens in the UK can apply for settled status, allowing them to remain in the country even if there is a no deal. UK expats in the EU are advised to register as residents of the country in which they live.

UK citizens travelling to the EU will need to ensure passports are valid for at least six months on 31 October and will require an international driving permit if intending to use a car.

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will no longer be valid.

Pet passports will also no longer be valid.

A range of other effects and consequences have been discussed.