Yahoo Finance MPs, MEPs, and experts identify holes in a major claim around UK's no-deal Brexit preparedness
Cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill has caused controversy by claiming that the UK government is “in pretty good shape” to cope with a no-deal Brexit.
Government no-deal preparation has not been free from scandal, whether over dubious ferry contracts or a return of horse meat.
The Institute for Government’s Alex Stojanovic identified the public/private divide as the central issue in no-deal planning.|
“While the government has made a huge effort to put in place the necessary systems, processes and staff to prepare for no deal, the preparedness of the private sector is well short of where it needs to be to avoid significant disruption. So far only 10% of affected traders have signed up to the government’s scheme to ease the bottleneck at the border, and less than a third have completed a basic registration to be able to import and export.”
Labour’s David Lammy was less subtle in his criticism. A supporter of the pro-EU group Best for Britain, he told Yahoo Finance UK: "These comments are baffling. What Mark is saying is completely at odds with what every single organisation involved in those plans has said.
"Local hospitals across the country have warned their medicine supplies aren't secure ahead of no deal – threatening patient care. Police chiefs have expressed their concerns about losing vital information networks. Schools and universities have complained about the exodus of EU nationals.
"I don't usually criticise the words of civil servants, who do so much for this country under such incredible pressure. But those aren't the hallmarks of a country in good shape for leaving the EU without a deal. No deal would be a disaster and a growing majority of the public now want to stay and reform the EU, rather than follow such a damaging path."
Even supporters of no deal were suspicious of the Cabinet Office’s report into no-deal planning. Newly elected Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib told Yahoo Finance UK: “It is hard to assess the extent to which the government has prepared for no deal.
“Certainly, it has not made any preparations to unlock the huge benefits which Brexit would afford the UK. It has instead seen Brexit as a necessary evil and only talked about mitigants it might be able to put in place to keep trade from getting snarled up.
“If the recent cabinet report is to be believed, the nation will not be ‘ready’ for a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
“The UK is a strong country, economically and culturally. I am sure we are ready to leave the EU – with or without a deal.”
While Sedwill is steadfast in his belief of government preparedness, both Leave and Remain backing politicians, as well as independent experts seem to disagree.
