Brexit Secretary says business chiefs have a ‘go-slow’ mentality over No Deal preparations
BUSINESS chiefs are on a ‘go-slow’ mentality over a no-deal preparations, a Cabinet Minister has warned.
Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay says planning needs to be ramped-up as senior colleagues continue to undermine government efforts.
He says there must be a “step change” in ensuring firms and the public are ready for the legal default exit date of October 31.
It follows MPs backing a bid to stop the next PM suspending Parliament to force through a no-deal scenario.
Four Cabinet Ministers including Philip Hammond and 17 Tory MPs abstained in the vote to suspend Parliament
Mr Barclay said: “Until we have passed a deal, it’s crucial that the government continues to prepare for a no deal Brexit.
“It has been under-priced by many, and a step change in communicating this needs to be one of the first priorities of the new Prime Minister.
“It’s the responsibility of the Government to prepare for everything it can control, but it is equally important that businesses and third parties ensure they are ready for any potential changes they may need to adapt to.
“The new Prime Minister needs to urgently ramp up the Government’s communications effort with a national drive to explain any changes to minimise disruption.”
The comments echoed Tory leadership hopeful Boris Johnson’s comments at his last debate with Jeremy Hunt.
Speaking at The Sun and talkRadio debate, he said: “The sad thing about the last three years is that you’ve had people in the UK government, senior figures, saying that a no deal Brexit would be such a catastrophe, that business hasn’t even really begun preparing for it.
He added: “They keep hearing from the Treasury that a no deal Brexit is completely unthinkable. The more we prepare, the better our preparations, the smoother Brexit under any circumstances.”
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