SAJID Javid is set to unleash an extra £2.1billion from the Treasury to dramatically accelerate the Government’s preparations for a no-deal Brexit this autumn.
(Left to right) Jean-Claude Juncker, Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid
Following the deadlock between Downing Street and Brussels, Boris Johnson’s new Chancellor is double the amount of cash available for ensuring the UK can withstand a full break with the EU on October 31 to £4.2billion. His cash injection will include £1.1billion for immediate spending on extra border guards, stockpiling vital medicines and a massive publicity blitz aimed at households and businesses. He will also set aside a further £1billion reserve fund to cover emergency contingencies as the Brexit deadline approaches.
The Chancellor 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 £2.1 billion will ensure we are ready to leave on 31 October – deal or no deal.”
His decision to loosen Treasury purse-strings will nearly double the funds available for no-deal contingency measures this year to £4.2billion, raising the total the Treasury has made available to prepare for the UK’s departure from the EU to £6.3billion.
The move follows growing expectations in Whitehall and Brussels that the UK is heading for a no-deal Brexit following the Prime Minister’s insistence that the country will leave the EU on October 31 “come what may” while the EU has so far refused to reopen negotiations over Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement.
Earlier this week, Downing Street said Mr Johnson would not meet EU leaders until they signalled their readiness to remove the controversial backstop border clause from the document.
In his first spending announcement in his new role, the Chancellor will set out details of his £1.1billion package for immediate Brexit preparations.
Former British Prime Minister Theresa May
The sum is to include £344 million to help get new border and customs operations ready to a sudden break with the EU on Halloween.
Home Office chiefs will be able to recruit an extra 500 Border Force officers with the cash, taking the total new personnel added to the service this year to more than 1,000.
Treasury officials say the increased staff and funding will boost capacity for processing UK passport applications this year.
Support for customs officers to train new staff or invest in new computer equipment to help businesses complete customs declarations is to be expanded.
Transport infrastructure around ports including measures to manage traffic disruption in Kent is to be improved.
Government helplines to provide businesses and holidaymakers with travel information will also be improved.
Mr Javid will also make £434 million available to help ensure continuity of vital medicines and medical products, including through freight capacity, warehousing and stockpiling.
A further £138 million is to be allocated for a public communications blitz to instruct businesses and the public on how to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
An information campaign based around media and online adverts is planned to help households and businesses prepare for Brexit is to be launched this summer.