“I’ve become the largest buyer of fridges in the world” Health Secretary @MattHancock tells @MarkUrban01 on newsnight re plans to store six weeks of stockpiled medicines for NHS in event of No Deal Brexit.
Defence Secretary asked about No Deal Contingencies in Commons says 3,500 military personnel held at readiness to support government departments
Two further Tory MPs tell me they would do the same as Boles ie resign whip if Government actually pursues No Deal: “Yes. If this was pursued the Party would break apart” says one of them “and there are others”.
So Government has pressed button on buying up space on ships/ferries to bypass anticipated No Deal gridlock at Dover-Calais... I recently put to the Dutch Europe minister Sigrid Kaag that NL might help bypass Calais with access to Rotterdam etc.... Check out the response:
NEW: Government No Deal Cabinet did not discuss or decide on the application of tariffs “that’s for a separate discussion” says one Cabinet minister. Though PM told me in October that they would “kick in”. Unclear now what guidance tens of thousands of businesses will get later.
will be matter for Trade Department to publish Most Favoured Nation tariffs said one Cabinet source ... but business leader told me that there is still an idea floating around Government to unilaterally not apply tariffs...
Not what PM told me in October:
Not what PM told me in October:
Not entirely sure how you can tell tens of thousands of small businesses to prepare for No Deal with 100 days notice, & not even know to tell them what tariffs they will have to pay on imports, or have decided - single most significant change to trade with biggest trade partner.
