THERE are “no plans to deploy the army” to distribute supplies after Brexit, Dominic Raab has said – but government papers show consumers could take a multimillion hit over card charges.
Setting out “practical and proportionate” guidance in case the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, Brexit Secretary Raab also set out to reassure, insisting reports about potential food shortages are wrong and there are no concerns about the supply of medical drugs.
Raab, pictured, said: “Contrary to one of the wilder claims, you will still be able to enjoy a BLT after Brexit. And there are no plans to deploy the army to maintain food supplies.”
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However, the 25 technical papers released by the Government did reveal that shoppers face a multimillion-pound hit if there is a no-deal Brexit because of a “likely increase” in the cost of card payments.
Cross-border payments would no longer be covered by a “surcharging ban” that prevents businesses adding an extra levy when people use a specific payment method.
The ban prevents businesses from charging customers for paying with the likes of PayPal or debit and credit cards, which the Treasury earlier this year characterised as “rip-off fees”.
UK citizens living in Europe also face the possibility of losing access to their pension income and other financial services.
Raab said that a no deal result is “unlikely”. However, he also said plans were being made to recruit an additional 9000 staff into the civil service to handle Brexit – on top of the 7000 currently working on preparations.
Meanwhile, Border Force will take on another 1000 people – more than triple the additional 300 previously planned for.
Encouraging the public to “review your own contingency plans” and “stay engaged with us on the detail”, he said: “That way, as we prepare for our departure from the EU, and as we strain every sinew to deliver a new, deep and special, partnership with our European friends, we will be ready, in case those efforts are not matched.”
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Stating that “livelihoods, on both sides, should be put ahead of any narrow political interests”, he stressed that the situation is far from fixed.
Raab said: “I hope such engagement on no deal, necessary as it now is, will be rendered redundant by the successful outcome from our negotiations.
“And I will be returning to Brussels next week with that in mind, even as we continue to work on our no-deal planning.”
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