Secretary of State for the Department for Exiting the EU,
, will tomorrow (Thursday, 23
August) deliver a speech outlining the preparations being made
for the unlikely event that we are unable to agree the terms of a
new relationship with the EU.
The speech will coincide with the publication of the first batch
in a series of technical notices advising businesses and citizens
what they need to do to prepare for a no deal scenario.
While Ministers remain confident that reaching a deal is the most
likely outcome, it is the duty of a responsible Government to
prepare for every situation, including the unlikely scenario that
we reach Brexit day on 29 March, 2019, without a deal.
The Secretary of State is expected to say:
“I remain confident a good deal is within our sights, and that
remains our top, and overriding, priority. If the EU responds
with the level of ambition and pragmatism, we will strike a
strong deal that benefits both sides.
"But, we must be ready to consider the alternative. We have a
duty, as a responsible government, to plan for every eventuality.
"These technical notices — and the ones that will follow — are a
sensible, measured,and proportionate approach to minimising the
impact of no deal on British firms, citizens,charities and public
bodies.
"They will provide information and guidance. Our overarching aim
is to facilitate the smooth, continued, functioning of business,
transport, infrastructure, research, aid programmes and funding
streams.
"In some cases, it means taking unilateral action to maintain as
much continuity as possible in the short term, in the event of no
deal — irrespective of whether the EU reciprocates.
"Of course, while we may take that approach in the short-term, we
will be outside the EU, and free to diverge when we are ready, on
our terms, in the UK national interest, and when it’s right for
the British people.
"And many of the No Deal challenges will affect the EU in similar
ways. For our part, if the negotiations fail, we will continue to
behave as responsible Europeanneighbours, partners and allies.
That should extend to necessary engagement with our EU partners
when it comes to No Deal planning.
"There are some positive examples. Take the dialogue that is
already going on between the Bank of England and the European
Central Bank. It is a sensible illustration of EU institutions
working with British ones, to minimise the practical impact of no
deal, for the good of everyone.
"There are other areas where such engagement needs to take place,
whether between the UK and the EU on data protection or between
the UK and EU member states, for example between port
authorities. That is the responsible thing for us to do on all
sides.”
