NEW chancellor Sajid Javid sparked a political row last night by pledging an extra £2 billion to “turbocharge” No Deal preparations.
The new Chancellor confirmed The Sun’s revelations at the weekend by revealing he was turning on the taps to beef up the border, support business and ensure the supply of “critical medicines”.
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There will also be extra cash to help process UK passport applications – to avoid chronic backlogs.
Some £1.1 billion will be provided to Government departments immediately in a dramatic escalation.
And the Treasury has another £1 billion in reserve “should it be needed”.
In total some £6.3 billion has now been set aside for Brexit prep.
The move sparked uproar from pro-EU campaigners last night with Labour branding it an “appalling waste of money”.
DRAMATIC CHANGE
But the Chancellor vowed: “With 92 days until the UK leaves the European Union it’s vital that we intensify our planning and ensure we are ready.”
The move will be confirmed on a trip to Essex today – with the Treasury focusing on the recruitment of an extra 500 border force guards.
It will come just an hour before the Bank of England is expected to highlight the risks of a No Deal by shaving growth forecasts for 2020 and 2021.
In a quarterly update, Bank of England governor Mark Carney is also expected to put the skids under the Pound by warning of an interest rate CUT.
The Chancellor’s pledge marks a dramatic change from Philip Hammond – who was attacked by arch-Brexiteers for failing to fund No Deal preparations before the original March 29 Brexit deadline.
Earlier this month the ex-Chancellor acknowledged the Treasury could have done more but didn’t want to distract business and hurt the economy.
‘READY FOR BREXIT’
Under the new plans, some £344 million will help “get new border and customs operations ready”.
This includes retraining and recruiting Border Force officers, boosting capacity to process UK passport applications, and doubling support for customs agents to train staff and invest in IT.
A further £434 million has been put aside to “help ensure continuity of vital medicines” through freight contracts and warehousing.
Some £108 million will be available to “promote and support business” to ensure they are “ready for Brexit”.
And £138 million will go on a nationwide PR campaign, more consular support for British ex-pats and support for councils.
The extra £1 billion reserve is available but departments will have to have bids approved by the Treasury if they require extra cash.
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This reserve will replace an old “urgent requirement” fund which was set up to prevent chaos at the border and food shortages.
Sources separately claimed last night that the Government was preparing to allow Highways England staff to check drivers’ documentation for the first time to avoid queues at the border.
They may also fine drivers as much as £300 if they take the wrong route in a bid to reduce jams at Dover.
