PM said she was working round the clock for ‘every eventuality’ and people should be comforted by that – and her Chancellor agrees it is a ‘responsible thing for a government to do’
THERESA MAY told Brits ‘Don’t Panic’ about stockpiling for a No Deal Brexit- saying they should “take comfort” from the preparations.
Speaking yesterday the PM said it was “sensible” to be ready for “every eventuality” despite her confidence of striking a good deal with the EU.
It came a day after new Health Secretary Matt Hancock said his department was working up options for stockpiling medicines and blood products.
The Sun earlier this month revealed Ministers had drawn up secret plans to stockpile processed food in case of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit in March – where Britain would leave the EU without a trade agreement in place.
Challenged by Channel 5 yesterday if Brits should be “worried” about the plans, the Prime Minister rejected the suggestion anyone should be alarmed.
She said: “Well, far from being worried about preparations that we’re making, I would say that people should take reassurance and comfort from the fact that the government is saying that we’re in a negotiation working for a good deal.
“I believe we can get a good deal.
“But actually it’s right that we say because we don’t know what the outcome is going to be, we think it’s going to be a good one, we’re working for a good one but let’s prepare for every eventuality.”
Pressed on the issue Mrs May added: “Look, this is not just about stockpiling that concept, what it is about making sure that we’ll be able to continue to do things that are necessary once we’ve left the EU, if we leave without a deal.
“Now I think people should take reassurance from the fact that this is a government that’s saying you know what we’re going to be responsible about this we’re going to be sensible about this.”
The PM was backed by the Chancellor yesterday who said No Deal preparations were the “responsible thing for a government to do” during a visit to Northern Ireland.
Ministers on Tuesday announced the recruitment of nearly 100 new officials for the Brexit Department to help prepare for a No Deal.
New Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab promised to issue a series of technical notices which would explain the work being done to “mitigate the risks” in a “responsible and reassuring way”.
