DAVID MUNDELL, SCOTTISH SECRETARY

When we leave the European Union on March 29 2019 we will be delivering on the decision of British people to take back control of our laws, borders and money.

In doing so we will protect jobs and prosperity, while keeping our people safe and precious Union of the United Kingdom together.

Much has been achieved already. We have published our Future Partnership White Paper which will ensure that Scotland – and the rest of the UK – is best placed to capitalise on the opportunities of Brexit.

This week we also set out our plans for legislating for the Withdrawal Agreement and the implementation period.

And the EU (Withdrawal) Act is already in place, ensuring that our statute book will continue to function on exit.

The Fisheries White Paper has been published, confirming that from 2020 we will be negotiating access to waters and fishing opportunities as an independent coastal state.

And the Customs and Trade Bills have passed their third readings in the House of Commons.

There is more hard work to be done. A lot of people are talking about a no deal scenario and we should be and are preparing for that.

But the UK Government firmly believes the deal we have put forward is the right one for the UK and the EU, striking a new balance of rights and obligations that is fair to both sides.

That’s why we are accelerating negotiations with the EU.

It is clear to me from conversations that I’ve had that Scottish businesses want a concrete plan which maximises the opportunities of Brexit for their business.

To do this we must get behind the prime minister, unite around the proposition and get the deal everyone needs to move forward.

A lot of people are talking about a no deal scenario and we should be and are preparing for that