No deal planning was radically scaled back last night after hundreds of civil servants returned to their day jobs from full-time operations centres across the country.
The Mirror understands Operation Yellowhammer was stood down after the EU granted a three-month extension.
Operation Brock, designed to manage traffic congestion on the M20 which leads to Kent’s ports of Folkestone and Dover, came into force at 6am yesterday morning.
But the plan limiting trucks to 30mph was not expected to be dismantled until at least Wednesday because of the time needed to remove the barriers.
Monday, Downing Street confirmed a £100m advertising campaign around the 31 October departure date was being put on hold.
But could not confirm how much of the budget had been spent
Sources said that despite the changes, no-deal planning remained in place.
(Image: Christopher Furlong)
Overall the government has spent at least roughly £2billion or around £30 per person on no deal preparations up to now
Business reluctantly welcomed the extension but bemoaned the continuing lack of certainty.
Many have been forced to shell out thousands of pounds to prepare for no deal only for there to be another extension
National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Mike Cherry said: “For many small firms, extensions are doubled-edged swords – yes they safeguard against the damage of a no-deal Brexit but they also prolong uncertainty without actually removing the potential of a no-deal further down the road.
He added: “These firms have been starved of certainty, battering down the hatches for a potential no-deal that would have harmed nearly 40 per cent of our members. All this has done is cause them to stop making business decisions. They have stopped hiring staff, they’ve stopped investing and they’ve stopped growing.”
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The UK cannot teeter on the edge of Brexit indefinitely. Brexit uncertainty continues to take its toll on retail businesses and the three millions retail jobs that exist today. This extension does not offer time for complacency and it is essential that Parliament commits to resolving Brexit once and for all.”
Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “Business will be relieved that common sense has prevailed and a damaging no deal exit has been avoided this year. But uncertainty remains high. It is vital – this time – the extra time leads to a deal. All politicians must break the gridlock and let the country move on.
“Then economic evidence must be the guiding light as the UK’s future relationship with the EU develops. Firms are keen to see commitments to regulatory alignment, frictionless trade and the UK’s all-important services sector, protecting the UK economy over the longer-term.”
