‘No deal’ Brexit: New leak reveals 84 areas of UK life that may be hit

Formal Brexit talks resumed in Brussels between UK and EU officials yesterday
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The scale of potential disruption from a no-deal Brexit became clear today as a leaked Government document listed areas of concern ranging from driving licences to pet passports.

Among the 84 topics the Government is planning to issue advice to businesses and the public about are aviation safety, food labelling, maritime security and workplace rights.

At the same time the head of the British pharmaceutical industry association, Mike Thompson, said Brexit should be treated as “a health security issue” because of the risk of drugs becoming unavailable in some countries.

Denmark’s finance minister this morning warned that the chances of a no-deal Brexit were around 50-50 and he called for more “effort” by Britain and the EU to secure an agreement this autumn.

“Every force who wants there to be a good deal needs to put in some effort in the months to come, otherwise I’m afraid time will run out,” said Kristian Jensen. Asked about Mrs May’s blueprint on Today, Mr Jensen praised it as a “realistic proposal for good negotiations” and a “very positive step forwards”.

“Big mistake”: Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said a “messy” divorce would be very damaging
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Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was criticised by Brexiteers last night for saying a “messy” divorce would be harmful. Mr Hunt clarified his remarks with a tweet this morning that said Britain would “survive and prosper” even in a no-deal situation, but warned: “It would be a big mistake for Europe because of the inevitable impact on long-term partnership with UK.”

This came as the 84 topics where the Government plans to issue papers setting out consequences and preparations for no-deal were leaked to Buzzfeed. Downing Street plans to publish the papers in batches, starting next week, to try to avoid accusations that it has embarked on a Project Fear operation.

Mr Hunt visited countries in northern Europe this week to seek support for the Chequers proposal from those who see Britain as a key military ally.

On his return he made clear that the Government would accept European environmental and social legislation if it led to a free trade agreement. “I’m getting a strong sense that, not just in Holland but in many of the places that I’ve visited, they do want to engage seriously to try and find a way through to try and get a pragmatic outcome,” he told ITV News.

Asked about claims that Brussels negotiators were being bugged by British spies, he said: “Foreign secretaries never comment on such matters but you are a journalist and you don’t have any trouble finding out what is going on in those meetings, just like you have no problems in finding out what’s happening in our London meetings.”

Formal Brexit talks resumed in Brussels between UK and EU officials yesterday. Earlier this week, Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics said there was a “very considerable risk” of a no-deal scenario, but stressed he was optimistic that the sides could come together.

Chancellor Philip Hammond was flying to Berlin today to encourage support for the Chequers proposals.

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