Sajid Javid to ramp up no-deal Brexit preparations with ‘£1bn spending package’

Chancellor says funding will be used for public information campaigns and extra Border Force officers

Sajid Javid will ramp up preparations for a no-deal Brexit this week by announcing a £1bn spending package, according to reports.

In his first major announcement since taking office, the chancellor said there would be “significant extra funding” made available to get the UK “fully ready to leave” the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal.

The additional spending will include financing one of the country’s “biggest ever public information campaigns” to ensure individuals and businesses are ready for a no-deal exit, Mr Javid wrote in The Sunday Telegraph.

The newspaper reported more than a £1bn had been set aside for the preparations, which would also be used to fund 500 new Border Force officers.

“Yes, we want to leave with a good deal – one that abolishes the undemocratic backstop,” Mr Javid said. “That would be better for the UK, and better for the EU, and work is already underway to achieve this.

“But, we should not shy away from the fact that currently the EU is refusing to make any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement. If they do not, we will of course have to leave the EU without a deal.

“If, for whatever reason, a better deal which our parliament will accept cannot be achieved, we must be – and are – prepared to leave on our own terms. Making sure Britain is prepared for no deal is the best way to get a great new deal.”

Meanwhile, The Sunday Times said Boris Johnson has put together a Brexit “war cabinet” of six key ministers and that the government was tasked with delivering EU withdrawal on 31 October “by any means necessary”.

Writing in the newspaper, Michael Gove, who is tasked with drawing up no-deal plans for the new prime minister, warned there was a “very real prospect” of Britain crashing out of the European Union without a deal.

“With a new prime minister, a new government, and a new clarity of mission, we will exit the EU on 31 October. No ifs. No buts. No more delays. Brexit is happening.”