Davis to reveal how a ‘No Deal’ Brexit would work for 58 different industries

MINISTERS are drawing up plans to prepare 58 sectors of the economy for leaving the EU, with or without a deal.

David Davis will outline the work today as he briefs the Cabinet on ‘domestic preparedness’ for Brexit for the first time since February.

Downing Street yesterday said Theresa May remained ‘confident’ of striking an exit deal with the EU, but with Brussels still refusing to open formal talks on trade, ministers are under pressure to show they are ready to walk away without an agreement.

The Department for Exiting the EU last night published a list of 58 sectors of the economy where it is undertaking economic analysis of the impact of Brexit. The studies cover everything from aviation and agriculture to car manufacturing and tourism. Even sectors such as gambling, film and space engineering are covered.

A spokesman for the department said the analysis was designed ‘to support progress in the negotiations and ensure we ready for Brexit whatever the outcome’. Sources said the results would not be published because doing so ‘would undoubtedly be detrimental to our interests in the negotiation’.

However, Mr Davis will tell the Cabinet the work shows the Government is serious about preparing for the possibility of leaving without a deal. It includes an analysis of the potential impact, and how any resulting damage might be reduced. The move is likely to increase pressure on Chancellor Philip Hammond to release more cash for the preparations in next month’s Budget.

Concerns have been raised that border controls will not be ready in time for the UK to leave the EU in March 2019 without a transitional deal.

But in a letter to peers last night, Mr Davis said a new customs system was ‘on track to be delivered in January 2019’.

Major airlines and airports yesterday dismissed warnings that Brexit could ground planes. Bosses from British Airways-owner IAG, EasyJet, Heathrow, and MAG, which owns Stansted and Manchester airports, yesterday told MPs they were confident an aviation agreement would be reached.