EU urges firms to up Brexit preparations

The EU on Thursday urged member countries and businesses to “step up preparations” for Britain’s 2019 exit from the bloc, underlining fears the negotiations could fail and cause even greater disruption. The appeal came before Britain’s new Brexit negotiator, Dominic Raab, was due in Brussels following a rebellion in Prime Minister Theresa May’s government over strategy. The European Commission urged “member states and private parties to step up preparations … for all outcomes” by the March 30 withdrawal deadline.