Britain will step up its planning for a no-deal Brexit on Thursday as it publishes a series of notes advising people and businesses how to protect themselves from the potential disruption of a clean break with the European Union.

With less than eight months to go until the March 29 exit day, Britain has yet to reach a divorce agreement with the bloc. Negotiations resumed on Tuesday but diplomats in Brussels expect an informal deadline of October to be missed.

More than 80 technical notices are expected over the coming weeks, with media reporting they will cover everything from financial services to food labelling.

“I remain confident a good deal is within our sights, and that remains our top, and overriding, priority … But, we must be ready to consider the alternative,” Brexit minister Dominic Raab will say in a speech to mark the publication of the first tranche of notices, according to extracts released in advance.

“These technical notices … are a sensible, measured and proportionate approach to minimising the impact of no deal on British firms, citizens, charities and public bodies.”

Several ministers have warned that the risk of leaving without an agreement has increased. Earlier this month trade minister Liam Fox put the chances at 60-40.

Raab will say that in some cases Britain will take unilateral action to maintain continuity in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

“While we may take that approach in the short-term, we will be outside the EU, and free to diverge when we are ready, on our terms, in the UK national interest,” he will say.

Many economists say failure to agree exit terms would seriously damage the world’s fifth-largest economy as trade with the EU, Britain’s largest market, would become subject to tariffs.

Supporters of Brexit say there may be some short-term pain for the economy, but that long-term it will prosper when cut free from the EU.

A survey this month by the Institute of Directors, a business lobby group, found that fewer than a third of company bosses had carried out contingency planning on Brexit.

“‘No deal’ preparations should have happened far earlier, and the onus is on government to move quickly and give businesses as much detailed technical information as possible to avoid significant disruption in any scenario,” Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said before the publication of the advice notices.

Customs and tax procedures, immigration rules and how to process transactions are among the things companies need more information from government on, Marshall said.</s>Food label designers rejoice: If the United Kingdom leaves the European Union with no trade deal, British firms will be commissioning new nutrition and warning labels because the present ones belong to the EU.

The British government published today the first 25 of 80 planned technical notices designed to help businesses navigate a no-deal Brexit. The U.K. is scheduled to leave the EU in March and trade talks have been rocky. If no deal emerges, the notices will serve as practical guides to matters ranging from labeling to financial services.

In the interim, the publication and a speech by U.K. Secretary of State Dominic Raab, may serve as a signal to both the EU and Brexit supporters that the U.K. is prepared to walk away from on-going talks if it doesn’t get what it wants, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“I am confident a good deal is within our sights,” Raab said in his speech, and he claimed that roughly 80% of the withdrawal is already agreed, with diplomats still working on how to handle the border between Ireland, which will still be an EU member, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

“The overarching aim of the notices is to facilitate the smooth, continued, functioning of business, transport, infrastructure, research, aid programmes and funding streams that have previously come from the EU,” Raab said.

On medical testing, for example, Raab suggested that until the U.K. set up its own independent medical testing system it would accept batches of medicines already tested in an EU member state.

Raab also revealed that the government had budgeted £3 billion ($3.87 billion) for Brexit staffing and expenses.

The EU, meantime, already had published 68 preparedness notices guiding citizens and businesses on Brexit possibilities.</s>British firms trading with the European Union will face a tangle of red tape, possible delays at the border and cashflow disruption if the government is unable to negotiate an exit deal with Brussels before Britain leaves the bloc next March.

The government published a series of notes advising people and businesses how to protect themselves from the potential disruption of a "no-deal" break with the EU, from stockpiling drugs to new paperwork for trade.

Britain has yet to reach a divorce agreement with the EU ahead of March 29, when it is set to leave the bloc.

Prime Minister Theresa May's plan for a "business-friendly" deal has failed to impress negotiators in Brussels and has been heavily criticized at home.

Nevertheless, both sides maintain they are aiming to reach a deal in time.

Brexit Minister Dominic Raab said he wanted to make sure Britain "goes from strength to strength, even in the unlikely event that we do not reach a negotiated deal with the European Union."

"I'm confident that a good deal is within our sights. That remains our top priority, that remains our overriding priority," he said at a speech marking the release of the papers.

However, the government's guidance makes it clear that companies trading with Europe would face new paperwork to cover customs and safety declarations in the event of no deal, paperwork that is currently not required.

Businesses would also have to apply the same customs and excise rules to goods moving between Britain and the EU as currently apply when goods move between Britain and a country outside he EU. Value Added Tax could also be required to be paid up front.

If the U.K. leaves the EU in March 2019 without a deal, "the free circulation of goods between the U.K. and EU would cease," the guidance said.

In total, around 80 technical notices are expected over the coming weeks. They will be closely scrutinized by industry to see how well prepared Britain is for an outcome many employers have warned will be hugely disruptive.

The government has maintained throughout the negotiation process that it is preparing for all possible outcomes, including 'no deal'.

Several ministers have warned that the risk of leaving without an agreement has increased. Earlier this month, Trade Minister Liam Fox put the chances at 60-40.

Many economists say failure to agree exit terms would seriously damage the world's fifth largest economy as trade with the EU, Britain's largest market, would become subject to tariffs.

Supporters of Brexit say there may be some short-term pain for the economy, but that long term, it would prosper when cut free from the EU.

The Opposition Labour party's Brexit spokesperson, Keir Starmer, said the talks with the EU were "going badly" and the publication of the documents on how to prepare for a no deal is a sign the government is "moving into panic mode."</s>These technical notices can only be a starting point for the Government.

'By now, few can be in any doubt that 'no deal' would wreak havoc on economies across Europe. These papers show that those who claim crashing out of the EU on World Trade Organisation rules is acceptable live in a world of fantasy, where facts are not allowed to challenge ideology.

'It's right and responsible that the Government have supplied information to businesses on issues from financial services passporting to food labelling, all of which will help lower the risks of the harshest outcomes from a 'no deal' Brexit. But without a similar response from the EU, many of these mitigating measures would be blunted.

'The reality is that businesses across the UK have already spent millions of pounds and thousands of hours on getting ready for no deal. Whilst smaller firms simply do not have the resources to assess what the worst-case scenario would mean to their enterprises.

'These technical notices can only be a starting point for the Government. Smaller businesses in particular will need a one-stop-shop where they can get the information and support they need to better understand the issues they would face.

'Above all, negotiators must now get on with finalising a Withdrawal Agreement, putting pen put to paper on a jobs-first transition period and finally, agree on a new relationship that puts people's livelihoods above politics.'</s>LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday set out a series of notes detailing what could happen if it fails to reach a Brexit deal with the European Union, acknowledging that firms would face a tangle of red tape and possible delays at the border.

Below is some reaction to Brexit minister Dominic Raab’s speech on the government’s ‘no deal’ planning and the guidance notes it has published on preparing for that scenario:

“We are working constructively to reach a deal. It is also clear that the withdrawal of the UK is going to lead to disruptions regardless, with a deal or without a deal. And that’s why everybody, in particular economic operators, needs to be prepared.”

“The speech was thin on detail, thin on substance and provided no answers to how ministers intend to mitigate the serious consequences of leaving the EU without an agreement.”

“A no deal Brexit has never been viable and would represent a complete failure of the government’s negotiating strategy.”

“The government is taking a pragmatic approach to addressing critical cliff-edge issues and to ensure consumers and businesses can continue accessing vital cross-border services.”

“However, these issues cannot be addressed by the UK acting alone. It is therefore vital that negotiators on both sides work together to agree solutions that prevent any unnecessary disruption and additional costs for customers in both the EU and UK.”

“The stark reality is that in a ‘no deal’ scenario, it appears that the government’s intention is to impose full-blown customs controls on trade between the EU and the UK immediately ... Given well-publicised concerns surrounding the capacity and readiness of UK customs systems, we question whether this outcome is realistic.”

“This is a welcome step from the government, though not before time.”

“Further detail on what steps the government would take to mitigate the effect of no deal is especially important for business confidence. The government must continue to come clean about these plans so that firms are truly in the know when making their own preparations. A no deal would be bad, but a no deal with no planning would be worse.”

“By now, few can be in any doubt that ‘no deal’ would wreak havoc on economies across Europe. These papers show that those who claim crashing out of the EU on World Trade Organisation rules is acceptable live in a world of fantasy, where facts are not allowed to challenge ideology.”

“It’s right and responsible that the government have supplied information to businesses on issues from financial services passporting to food labelling, all of which will help lower the risks of the harshest outcomes from a ‘no deal’ Brexit. But without a similar response from the EU, many of these mitigating measures would be blunted.”

“EEF welcomes the increased clarity for businesses from the publication of today’s raft of technical notices. However the remaining notices need to be published at the utmost speed so companies have the full picture to enable them to prepare properly for a no-deal scenario.”

“The technical notice for organic farming is a warning for us on the future of trade of all agri-food products - if all these products were subjected to the same problems in approvals and certification then this could result in effectively a trade embargo on exports to the EU. Not only would this be hugely disruptive but it threatens livelihoods and businesses in the UK.”

“Any delays caused by increased red tape will have a serious impact on over one-third of our food imports. The government’s technical notices demonstrate the facts of a no-deal Brexit - reduced availability and higher prices of food and medicine, increased delays and red tape at borders, and a VAT bombshell for consumers and businesses.”

“These technical notices reveal the ‘no deal’ Brexit nightmare facing Scotland and lay bare the risks facing Scottish businesses, the economy and public services.

“From the bureaucratic burden that will be imposed on EU imports and exports to the need to strike a wide range of ‘no deal’ deals before the end of March, these notices only add to the uncertainty.”

“In view of the slow progress of negotiations, it is indeed logical that both sides also consider the option of a failure of the exit talks. But emergency plans do not absolve politicians of the responsibility to do everything to ensure that an emergency does not arise. Companies must in fact now arm themselves protectively for a hard Brexit; we hope, however, that these preprations will never need to be put into practice.”</s>At a glance: What you need to know about the government’s Brexit technical notices

The government has released 24 technical papers outlining preparations and scenarios that could play out if no Brexit deal can be agreed before Britain leaves the EU in March.

They form the first wave of a series of releases that will see more than 80 papers in the public domain by the end of September.

The key points from the first set of papers and measures announced on Thursday by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab are:
• The removal of an EU ban on credit and debit card surcharges is “likely” to increase the cost of shopping.
• UK citizens living in Europe face the possibility of losing access to their pension income and other financial services.
• Consumers would face another potential cost increase when online shopping, with parcels arriving in the UK no longer liable for Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) on VAT.
• Businesses exporting to Europe may have to “renegotiate commercial terms” to reflect customs and other tariff changes.
• The firms may also need to pay out for new software or hire “a customs broker, freight forwarder or logistics provider” to help them deal with new requirements.
• Companies exporting across the Irish border should “consider whether you will need advice from the Irish government about preparations you need to make”.
• Importing nuclear materials from the EU may require a licence.
• Medicines and other medical products will have to go through “national assessment” before they receive market authorisation to be sold in the UK.
• Cigarette packet health warnings would change as the current images used are copyrighted to the EU.
• Organic food producers face a “cliff edge” of being able to export to the EU only if certified by a body approved by the European Commission, with certification taking up to nine months after Brexit.
• The government is planning to recruit an extra 9,000 staff into the civil service to deal with Brexit, in addition to 7,000 currently working on preparations.
• The government will pay for British aid organisation programmes whose funding could be ended in the event of no deal.</s>The British government will seek to negotiate a special arrangement for North-South trade to ensure that the Border remains open even in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

But trade between the Republic and the rest of the United Kingdom could be subject to the same bureaucratic arrangements facing other EU member-states.

Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said the British government would maintain its commitment to keeping the Border open regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations but he refused to rule out differentiated arrangements for Irish firms trading with the rest of the UK.

“We’re saying very loud and clear that we will not allow anything to disrupt the terms of the Belfast Agreement and that we wouldn’t return to any form of hard Border,” he said.

“I’m not quite sure what it would look like so I’m not going to hypothetically rule it in or out.”

Mr Raab was speaking after the publication of 25 technical notices outlining the impact of a no-deal Brexit on different sectors and economic activities. A number of the notices, including those on trade, tariffs and the cross-border movement of medicines, medical devices, blood and human organs, suggest that special arrangements may be required for Northern Ireland.

“In such a scenario, the UK would stand ready to engage constructively to meet our commitments and act in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland, recognising the very significant challenges that the lack of a UK-EU legal agreement would pose in this unique and highly sensitive context.

“This would include engagements on arrangements for land border trade. We will provide more information in due course,” the notice on trade says.

“The Irish Government have indicated they would need to discuss arrangements in the event of no deal with the European Commission and EU member-states. We would recommend that, if you trade across the land border, you should consider whether you need advice from the Irish Government about preparations you need to make.”

The notice on trade tells businesses importing goods from the EU that they will have to register as importers and decide the correct classification and value of their goods and enter it on a customs declaration for the revenue and customs service (HMRC).

They should “consider how they will submit import declarations, including whether to engage a customs broker, freight forwarder or logistics provider (businesses that want to do this themselves will need to acquire the appropriate software and secure the necessary authorisations from HMRC). Engaging a customs broker or acquiring the appropriate software and authorisations form HMRC will come at a cost”.

Other notices warn that the cost of credit card payments between Britain and the EU could rise after a no-deal Brexit and British citizens living in the EU could lose access to UK banking and pension services.

Britain would continue to accept medicines tested in EU member-states and Mr Raab said he would expect the EU to act with similar “good faith” and flexibility, even without a Brexit deal.

“Most of the worst case scenarios, being bandied around, imply that the EU would resist all and any mutual cooperation with the UK. In reality, I find it difficult to imagine that our EU partners would not want to cooperate with us even in that scenario in key areas like this, given the obvious mutual benefits involved,” he said.

Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said the technical notices and Mr Raab’s speech showed that the government was not prepared for a no-deal Brexit.

“We are eight weeks out from the deadline for reaching an agreement. Ministers should be getting on the job of negotiating a Brexit deal that works for Britain, not publishing vague documents that will convince no one.

“A no-deal Brexit has never been viable and would represent a complete failure of the government’s negotiating strategy,” he said.</s>The United Kingdom government on Thursday offered its advice to businesses and the general public in the event that no deal is reached with the European Union on the country's withdrawal from the bloc.

The Conservative government of Theresa May released 25 documents, dubbed "technical notes," containing "practical" instructions for businesses and citizens covering topics including banking, medicine, nuclear research, labor rights and farming.

"They are designed to inform people and businesses in the UK about what they may need to do, if we don't reach a deal with the EU," said minister for exiting the EU, Dominic Raab. "They are part of a common sense approach to planning for a no deal Brexit."

Raab said the government's "top priority" was to reach a good deal with the EU during the ongoing negotiations but it was "ready to deliver Brexit for the British people if there is no deal."

The minister said the goal would be to maintain a close trade relationship with the bloc, strengthen security cooperation and maintain initiatives such as student exchanges.

He said achieving a good deal was "the most likely outcome."

London and Brussels were still in the negotiations phase, with key issues like the bilateral trade and the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland still to be agreed upon.

The UK is set to leave the EU in March 2018 after a referendum held in June 2016 saw the public narrowly voting in favor of such a move.</s>In this edition of State of the Union: Brussels warns there’ll be disruption whatever happens with Brexit, as the UK government publishes technical notices advising businesses and others on how to cope if Britain crashes out without a deal; Europe’s heatwave wreaks havoc with harvests in Germany; and a Russian manufacturer synonymous with guns unveils a retro-style electric car it says will rival Tesla. Click on the video above to watch this week’s programme.</s>Responding to the publication by the Government of the first set of no-deal Brexit technical notices, UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:

“A no-deal Brexit would cause serious problems for many UK businesses, not least of all the hospitality sector. These initial announcements will provide some small measure of reassurance, but we need to see the rest of the proposals and a great deal more detail on how the Government proposes to mitigate the impacts of a no-deal exit.

“There are still major concerns about food and drink imports upon which hospitality businesses rely to a large degree and we still need substantially more clarity on the exact terms for current EU citizens as well as an idea of what the future immigration system will look like.

“We will be looking forward to the future publications for more certainty and detail and, hopefully, proactive plans for the support of the hospitality sector in any Brexit scenario.”
The government of the United Kingdom publishes the first 25 of 80 planned "technical notices" providing practical guidance to businesses in case of a no-deal Brexit.