‘Hope for the best but prepare for the worst,’ they say – and it looks like that’s precisely what the UK government is doing while it continues to negotiate with the European Union ahead of Brexit.
Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, provided the House of Commons with an update on the negotiations late Tuesday. He said not only have the talks continued but they have also intensified.
“We continue to engage constructively with the EU, we continue to press our case,” Raab told the House.
Meanwhile a total of 77 technical notices, including those on financial services and vehicle insurance, have been published to guide the nation in a ‘no deal’ scenario. The Brexit secretary said the notices form part of the sensible and proportionate measures being taken to ensure that the country is ready, irrespective of the outcome, for every eventuality.
“They range from aviation, and the advice for airlines on the impact of ‘no deal’ and the actions for them to consider to maintain services on the day we leave the EU, through to car insurance, and the arrangements to ensure Green Cards will be available free of charge from insurance companies to enable UK drivers to continue to drive on the continent,” noted Raab, referring to the latest batch of notices.
While optimistic about the prospect of sealing an agreement, the former housing minister acknowledged the difficulties at this stage in the discussions.
“These negotiations, Mr Speaker, were always bound to be tough in the final stretch,” said Raab. “That is all the more reason why we should hold our nerve, stay resolute and focused, and I remain confident that we will reach a deal this autumn.
“Because it is still in the best interests of the UK, and the European Union.”
