British PM Boris Johnson ‘turbo-charges’ plans for no-deal Brexit

Johnson has promised ‘all necessary funding’ beyond the US$5.1 billion already allocated

Reading Time:3 minutes

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: AP

Published: 7:33pm, 30 Jul 2019Updated: 7:33pm, 30 Jul 2019

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government holds the first of a series of daily meetings Tuesday designed to ramp up preparations to leave the European Union without a Brexit deal on October 31.

Government departments and businesses made extensive preparations ahead of the original March 29 deadline for Brexit, but after two delays, many plans were scaled back.

Johnson has now ordered government to “turbo-charge” its efforts, promising “all necessary funding”, beyond the £4.2 billion (US$5.1 billion) already allocated.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) lobby group says businesses must now shift to an “emergency footing”.

Ahead of the last Brexit deadline, the government set up “Operation Yellowhammer” to prepare for short-term disruption in 12 key areas, including food and water supplies, healthcare, transport and borders.

Under this plan, every department had an operational centre and some were already running 24 hours a day, according to the Institute for Government (IfG).

These centres are expected to be restarted, while a huge new publicity drive is planned reportedly costing £100 million to help businesses and consumers prepare.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x