Dominic Raab risks new Brexit row with Brussels over no-deal preparations

The government will release its first batch of no-deal Brexit impact papers on Thursday

Cabinet minister Dominic Raab risks a new row with Brussels on Thursday as he demands the EU do more to ensure adequate preparation for a no-deal Brexit.

The Brexit secretary will say British and European institutions have not been able to work together in enough areas to guarantee the smooth continuation of life if negotiations fail to reach a deal.

The Independent understands some British officials feel that while member states are ready to begin no-deal preparation in more areas, the European Commission is not facilitating cooperation.

It comes just a day after the commission’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said he could see a “blame game starting against the European Union” over the issue of no-deal preparations.

The British government will on Thursday release a batch of impact papers spelling out what action ministers will take in different areas of the economy.

Mr Raab will say he remains confident a good deal that benefits both sides is possible “if the EU responds with the level of ambition and pragmatism”.

The minister will add: “For our part, if the negotiations fail, we will continue to behave as responsible European neighbours, partners and allies.

“That should extend to necessary engagement with our EU partners when it comes to no-deal planning.”

Mr Raab said there were some good examples of where that was happening, like discussions between the Bank of England and European Central Bank.

But he then added: “There are other areas where such engagement needs to take place, whether between the UK and the EU on data protection or between the UK and EU member states, for example between port authorities.

“That is the responsible thing for us to do on all sides.”

British officials are said to be frustrated that overtures from member states about cooperation on no-deal planning are not reciprocated by the commission’s officials, though EU officials in Brussels see things differently.

Speaking from the Belgian capital on Tuesday, Mr Barnier said: “To be very frank with you I do see this blame game starting against the European Union in the case of no deal. But the European Union is not going to be impressed by that kind of blame game, everyone should understand that.

“On the first day of the first press conference I came before you as a negotiator, I said Brexit will have numerous consequences – human, social consequences, economic, financial, technical, legal – and I said that many people had underestimated those consequences.”

In his speech on Thursday, Mr Raab will set out the context for the release of the government’s impact papers, having just returned from talks with Mr Barnier.

He will say: “These technical notices – and the ones that will follow – are a sensible, measured and proportionate approach to minimising the impact of no deal on British firms, citizens, charities and public bodies.

“They will provide information and guidance. Our overarching aim is to facilitate the smooth, continued, functioning of business, transport, infrastructure, research, aid programmes and funding streams.”

The first batch could include one on the financial services sector, the NHS and future participation in Erazmus schemes.

The papers are expected to be between two and five pages laying out the immediate actions of government in each sector in the event of a no-deal Brexit.