The government has announced plans to set aside an extra £2.1bn for no-deal Brexit preparations including stockpiling of medicines, an extra 500 border officials and a public awareness campaign about disruption.
The BBC says that “‘turbo-charging’ no-deal preparation is the “energetic promise of the new Treasury”, which was previously accused by Johnson and his Brexiteer allies of “dragging its feet on funding for such measures”.
Leading Tory Brexiteers continue to claim that the pro-Remain former chancellor Philip Hammond, who has now vowed to oppose no-deal from the back benches, had “handicapped” preparation, says Sky News.
According to The Guardian, Chancellor Sajid Javid’s announcement lays bare the “huge cost” of a no-deal Brexit.
The Times says all that has really changed is “the political need to be seen to be ramping up preparation and the easiest way to do that is to wave a cheque book”.
With new prime minister Boris Johnson insisting he will take the UK out of the EU on 31 October whether a Brexit deal has been agreed or not, the funding is designed to mitigate the damage that a no-deal Brexit would be expected to cause.
Some £1.1bn will be provided to departments and devolved administrations immediately, while a further £1bn would be made available if needed.
The funds come in addition to the £4.2bn, which has been allocated since 2016 for Brexit preparations by the previous chancellor, Philip Hammond.
Announcing the move, Javid said: “With 92 days until the UK leaves the European Union it’s vital that we intensify our planning to ensure we are ready.
“We want to get a good deal that abolishes the anti-democratic backstop. But if we can’t get a good deal, we’ll have to leave without one. This additional £2.1bn will ensure we are ready to leave on 31 October – deal or no deal.”
Crucially, explains the BBC, £108m will be spent on promoting and supporting businesses “to ensure they are ready for Brexit”, including a national programme of business readiness and “helping exporters to prepare for, and capitalise on, new opportunities”.
There will also be a new public information campaign and an increase in consular support for Brits living abroad, at a cost of £138m.
Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: “This is an appalling waste of taxpayers’ cash, all for the sake of Boris Johnson’s drive towards a totally avoidable no-deal.
“This government could have ruled out no-deal, and spent these billions on our schools, hospitals and people.”
