Advertisement

News

UK Government Publishes 'Worst Case' Brexit Details

The UK government has released documents which outlines the worst-case scenarios in the event of a n...
SPIN
SPIN

9:25 PM - 11 Sep 2019



UK Government Publishes 'Worst...

News

UK Government Publishes 'Worst Case' Brexit Details

SPIN
SPIN

9:25 PM - 11 Sep 2019



The UK government has released documents which outlines the worst-case scenarios in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

MPs demanded the publication of the so-called Operation Yellowhammer briefing to ministers.

The six page document warns of delays lasting three months at Channel crossings, "significant" electricity price rises and impacts on medicine and food supplies.

However, one paragraph has been redacted due to "commercial sensitivity".

The "reasonable worst case planning assumptions" of Operation Yellowhammer detail:

  • The worst disruption at Channel crossings might last for up to three months before improving
  • Lorries could face maximum delays of up to two-and-a-half days
  • Possible immigration delays for UK holidaymakers at the Channel Tunnel, ferry crossings and airports
  • A likelihood of "significant" electricity price rises
  • Medicine supplies will be "particularly vulnerable to severe extended delays"
  • Supplies of some fresh food will decrease, while prices will also rise
  • Disruption in law enforcement data sharing between the UK and EU
  • Concerns that Gibraltar has not prepared well enough for a no-deal Brexit
  • A possible rise in public disorder and "significant amounts" of police time being taken up by protests
  • The risk of disruption to fuel supplies in the south east of England
  • Possible clashes between UK and EU fishing vessels
  • Efforts to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are "likely to prove unsustatinable"

Reacting to the release, Labour shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said: "These documents confirm the severe risks of a no-deal Brexit, which Labour has worked so hard to block.

"It is completely irresponsible for the government to have tried to ignore these stark warnings and prevent the public from seeing the evidence."

He called for parliament to be recalled to scrutinise the documents.



You might like