Chancellor Sajid Javid has doubled this year’s Brexit funding with today's announcement of an extra £2.1bn for no-deal preparations. This consists of an immediate cash boost of £1.1bn to prepare “critical areas” ahead of the UK’s October exit from the European Union, plus a further £1bn available to enhance operational preparedness this year “if needed”.

This additional funding will, importantly, accelerate border and customs preparedness and ensure the supply of critical medicines. It will also pay for support for UK nationals abroad, and an awareness campaign to ensure the public and businesses are ready.

“With 92 days until the UK leaves the European Union it’s vital that we intensify our planning to ensure we are ready," Javid said. “We want to get a good deal that abolishes the anti-democratic backstop. But if we can’t get a good deal, we’ll have to leave without one. This additional £2.1bn will ensure we are ready to leave on 31 October - deal or no deal.”

This brings the Treasury’s spend on exit preparations to £6.3bn.


In numbers: Countdown to Brexit (Source: HM Treasury)

Targeted funding allocated today will support critical operations, including:

-£344m to ready new border and customs operations. This includes:
• An extra 500 border force officers, meaning we will have added up to 1,000 more o officers this year.
• Boosting capacity to process UK passport applications this year, helping avoid delays.
• Doubling the support made available for customs agents to train new staff or invest in better IT so businesses can get the support they need to complete customs declarations.
• Improving transport infrastructure around ports and additional funding for ‘Operation Brock’ to manage traffic disruption in Kent.
• Enhancing support available on government helplines.

-£434m made available to help ensure continuity of vital medicines and medical products, including through freight capacity, warehousing and stockpiling.

-£108m available to promote and support businesses to ensure they are ready for Brexit, including a national programme of business readiness and helping exporters to prepare for, and capitalise on, new opportunities.

- £138m to boost public communications, including:
• A new information campaign to help people and businesses get ready to leave on 31st October.
• Increasing consular support and information for Brits living abroad.
• Support for local areas including Northern Ireland.

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