Cabinet set for weekly briefing to make best of a ‘no-deal’ outcome
PRIME Minister Theresa May yesterday ordered weekly Cabinet updates on preparations for leaving the European Union with no deal.
In what was seen as a signal to Brussels about her toughening stance on key points, No 10 let it be known she had emphasised the importance of being ready if talks break down.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab is expected to deliver the assessments at the Cabinet meetings Mrs May usually chairs on Tuesday mornings.
He told colleagues yesterday there had been “good progress” since the Cabinet last month discussed no-deal planning.
Mrs May said “preparations around
no deal continue to be essential”, according to her spokesman. He added: “However, it is important to be clear the priority is to secure a deal.”
Asked to explain the reason for weekly updates with less than 160 days to go before Brexit on March 29, he said: “As we move towards exit day it makes good sense to ensure that all ministers are fully on board with the full range of work that is taking place in relation to both scenarios.
“This is an update both on deal and no-deal preparedness.
“But the PM was clear that securing a deal remains the most likely outcome and that is the outcome we want to achieve.”
Although last week’s EU summit shelved plans for a special November meeting of all 28 member states to agree a deal, Mrs May told ministers that EU Council boss Donald Tusk had said he “stood ready” to call one “when there has been decisive progress”.
She also promised the Government will work “intensively” to solve the issue of keeping the Northern Ireland-Irish border free-flowing after Brexit.
She is under pressure from all sides after saying she will consider extending the post-Brexit transition period from the end of 2020 into 2021 if necessary to secure a settlement of the Irish issue.