MEPs approve contingency plan for no-deal Brexit to keep EU budget funding in 2019

The European Parliament has approved a regulation to continue the implementation of the 2019 EU budget in case the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

The regulation on the implementation of the 2019 EU budget would make it possible to continue payments to UK beneficiaries until 31 December 2019, provided the UK continues to pay the contributions to which it has committed and accepts the necessary controls and audits.

The aim is to minimise any negative impact of the UK's withdrawal for the Union budget and for the implementation of the Union's policies in the case of a no-deal scenario.

The recommendation by rapporteur Jean Arthuis (ALDE, FR), Chair of the Committee on Budgets, endorsing the approval of the proposal, was adopted with 569 votes in favour, 21 against, and 23 abstentions.

Next steps

Under the consent procedure, Parliament's consent is required before the Council can act unanimously on the Commission proposal.

The regulation should enter into force as a matter of urgency and apply from the day following that on which the Treaties ceased to apply to and in the UK.