Raab says UK will take 'unilateral action' in no-deal Brexit scenario

The UK will take "unilateral action" in a no-deal Brexit scenario to keep trade and transport flowing freely, Brexit secretary Dominic Raab said in a speech.

In his speech, Raab outlined the UK government’s preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit. His department published instructions for business and the general public on how to prepare for that outcome.

Raab, who took over as Brexit secretary after David Davis quit in July, said the UK would not enter a tit-for-tat battle with the EU after the divorce where border checks and travel restrictions would be imposed.

The government released about 25 technical notices about leaving the EU with no deal. Over 80 notices are expected over the coming weeks, covering everything from financial services to food labelling as concern about leaving the EU with no agreement increases.

Raab said: "I remain confident a good deal is within our sights, and that remains our top, and overriding, priority. If the EU responds with the level of ambition and pragmatism, we will strike a strong deal that benefits both sides."

But he said the UK had to plan for a no-deal Brexit if the EU fails to compromise.

"In some cases, it will mean taking unilateral action to maintain as much continuity as possible at least in the short term, in the event of no deal, and irrespective of whether the EU reciprocates in practice," Raab said.

For example he said the UK would accept batches of existing medicines from the EU if they had been cleared by a member state even if the EU does not reciprocate. Currently medicines for use in the UK are checked either by Britain or in the EU.

UK and European businesses have become extremely concerned in recent months at the government’s failure to spell out how it would prevent chaos in a series of key areas of the economy currently working under EU regulations and institutions.

The Institute of Directors business lobby group said: "This is a welcome step from the government, though not before time. Now the government has planned for the worst, it can get on with negotiating for better."

With the fears of a no-deal Brexit rising, shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer has suggested that Labour could back a second EU referendum if Theresa May fails to get her deal approved in Parliament.