Theresa May cabinet says no-deal planning now government's 'operational priority'

Benjamin Kentish
Updated

Theresa May’s cabinet has agreed to make planning for a no-deal Brexit the government’s “operational priority” after a lengthy meeting in which ministers clashed over what the next move should be.

A £2bn war chest set aside by Philip Hammond, the chancellor, will be spent on preparing the country to crash out of the EU, while businesses and citizens will also be instructed to make the necessary plans.

However, No 10 insisted the government’s “top priority” was securing support for Ms May‘s Brexit deal.

The prime minister's spokesperson said: "Cabinet agreed that with just over three months until we exit from the European Union we have now reached the point where we need to ramp up these preparations.

"Cabinet also agreed to recommend businesses now also ensure they are similarly prepared, enacting their own no-deal plans as they judge necessary.

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"Citizens should also prepare in line with the technical notices issued in the summer and in line with further more detailed advice that will now be issued over coming weeks."

But during the cabinet meeting, Remain-backing ministers including Mr Hammond, work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd and justice secretary David Gauke highlighted the risks of a no-deal outcome and said claims it could be a success were a "unicorn" that needed to be "slayed".

Elsewhere, defence secretary Gavin Williamson said 3,500 troops were on standby to help handle the fallout of Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal.

As it happened...