Hello and welcome to our latest Beyond Brexit podcast. I'm Emily Kahn. We're here in April.

Twice we have approached an exit day on the edge of our seats. Our previous podcast was supposed to be the last one in this series in fact,

but instead we're once again grappling with Newport Mantoes and resetting the clock to when the UK leaves the EU.

Today I'm joined by a familiar friend, Michael Moore, our senior political advisor and touring

Brexit guide and a newbie to our series, Caroline Turnbull Hall, our master Brexit scenario

planner.

They're each joining from their home in different parts of the UK, where, because it's the

Easter holidays, they're there with their children and we're hoping that nobody's going

to be making a surprise appearance.

We're going to take stock of the latest announcements from Europe and London, review the risks

ahead and explore how businesses can re-gear for the flex-stension the UK's being granted.

Thank you both for joining me. Before we get started,

can I just check, you can both hear me okay? Loudly and clearly from the south-east of Scotland.

Very good. And very clearly from the Fens. Super. So Caroline, I'd like to come to you first,

if I may. You've had the unenviable task of keeping our scenarios and moments

that matter guides for business up to date. Just fill us in on where things stand now. What's

been agreed? So the European Council have offered us a flexension, a rather ghastly word,

meaning an extension for as long as is necessary, but with a firm ending of the 31st of October this year.

So unless the withdrawal agreement is agreed before that time, we're committed to remaining in the EU until the 31st of October.

Okay.

We can leave earlier subject to ratification of the withdrawal agreement,

in which case we will leave on the first day of the month

...