Some things London is telling Britons to brace for in no-deal Brexit
LONDON: A popular London wine merchant became the latest business last month to start stockpiling in case Britain splits from the European Union without a deal in March.
The possibility of Britain breaking off from its main trading partner without any arrangements in place will grow if the UK parliament rejects the draft withdrawal agreement tomorrow.
Doom-and-gloom predictions about life after a “no-deal” Brexit are plentiful and highly politically charged.
The truth is no one really knows what will happen because Britain is the first to leave the bloc.
But here are some things London is telling Britons to brace for in the first days of a worst-case scenario pullout.
Rip-off roaming
We check our mobiles incessantly and this is where people could notice things first. Free roaming would no longer apply and UK mobile phone operators can start charging extra for subscribers who pop off to “the Continent”.
London is also urging people in Northern Ireland to watch out for “inadvertent roaming” when straying too close to the EU border with Ireland.
Grounded at Heathrow
Heathrow and other big airports can be a nightmare at the best of times.
But planes getting grounded when Brexit strikes at 2300 GMT on March 29 because airlines lose their licences would create chaos that ripples across the world. London says it would “envisage” granting European carriers special permission to keep flying – and that it would “expect” the 27 EU countries to do the same.
Forms, forms, forms
Prepare to start signing your name. A lot. Thousands of companies that do business with Europe would have to fill out reams of customs and duties declarations.
Tourists who want to rent a car may need to get international driving permits because their UK licences become invalid.
Drug dilemma
Things turn more serious for those who rely on medication.
Officials are talking to drug companies about creating a six-week “buffer stock” on top of the three months they already have in place.
This should help cover any short-term disruptions at the border. Britain will also waive the need for EU firms to re-test their drugs under new rules.
Shoppers beware