The Treasury is ready to play a full role in Brexit

On my watch, officials will be stepping up no-deal planning to make sure we’re ready for October 31

In 95 days’ time we will leave the EU. Of that there should be no doubt. Three years after the referendum, the countdown to delivering on the democratic will of the British people has well and truly begun. In three months’ time, we will be an independent nation once more. Free to set our own path to our own future. With the new Prime Minister, there is a newfound optimism, and this, I believe, is shared by the country. People are eager to get Brexit done – and that’s exactly what we are going to do.

Yes, we want to leave with a good deal – one that abolishes the undemocratic backstop. That would be better for the UK, and better for the EU, and work is already under way to achieve this. As the Prime Minister said in his first speech in the

House of Commons this week, we will approach these negotiations with the greatest energy and determination, and in the spirit of friendship, in the sincere hope and belief that the EU will reciprocate.

But we should not shy away from the fact that currently the EU is refusing to make any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement. If they do not, we will of course have to leave the EU without a deal. If, for whatever reason, a better deal which our Parliament will accept cannot be achieved, we must be – and are – prepared to leave on our own terms. Making sure Britain is prepared for no deal is the best way to get a great new deal.

That is why this Government is turbocharging preparations to leave with no deal. Led by my colleague, Michael Gove, in the Cabinet Office, we will work as one to ensure the country is ready.

And that is why I have ordered an immediate stepping up of no-deal preparations in the Treasury. Under my leadership, the Treasury will have new priorities and will play its full role in helping to deliver Brexit. In my first day in office as Chancellor, I tasked officials to urgently identify where more money needs to be invested to get Britain fully ready to leave on October 31 – deal or no deal. And next week I will be announcing significant extra funding to do just that.

My predecessor as chancellor, Philip Hammond, had already provided some funding to help the country prepare, and much work has already been done. I don’t share the views of some in the EU that we were unprepared to leave in April. But they should be in absolutely no doubt that, come October 31, we will be ready, and as the Prime Minister made clear this week, all necessary funding will be made available to ensure this.

So we are urgently looking across the Government to identify where extra money is needed. As a previous home secretary, I know that few things are as important as this country’s security. That is why I plan to fund 500 new Border Force officers – meaning we will have added up to 1,000 this year – to ensure we can once again be in control of our own borders.

We are also looking at what additional practical help we can provide to, for example, Britons living abroad, small business preparedness, and new infrastructure around our ports to minimise congestion and ensure goods can flow.

And we are also going to fund a major nationwide communications campaign to ensure the people and businesses of this great country are ready and poised to leave on October 31. More details will be announced soon, but I can say that this looks set to be one of the government’s biggest ever public information campaigns.

As the Prime Minister made clear, it is vital that preparing for leaving the EU without an agreement is not just about seeking to mitigate the challenges, but also about seizing the opportunities.

And obviously, as Chancellor, it is my duty to the British taxpayer to ensure this money is spent wisely; as an investment in our future. Because while technical preparations are vital, it’s also crucial that we have a clear economic strategy for the UK. This means safer streets, a better NHS, and more funding for schools. Brexit is not just about October 31 – it is about the day after, and the day after that.

It is about our future, and Britain’s place in the world.

We will be free from the institutions of the European Union, but will work closely with our friends and partners in Europe and beyond. All four nations of our great United Kingdom will have a part to play in setting a new course. One which I firmly believe will be a huge success.