BREXIT could trigger major hold-ups at channel ports, electricity price increases, shortages of some foods and delays to medicine imports, UK Government documents released last night reveal.
HGV delays of between one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half days would occur at Dover and public disorder could increase, according to Operation Yellowhammer "reasonable worst case planning assumptions" released in response to a vote by MPs.
However, the Government said it will not release communications between civil servants and nine top advisers relating to the proroguation of Parliament, which were also the subject of a vote.
The document, which was leaked last month, says: "There are likely to be significant electricity [price] increases for consumers."
On food, it warns that some fresh supplies will decrease and that "critical dependencies for the food chain" such as key ingredients "may be in shorter supply".
It says these factors would not lead to overall food shortages "but will reduce the availability and choice of products and will increase price, which could impact vulnerable groups".
The document also says: "Low-income groups will be disproportionately affected by any price rises in food and fuel."
The analysis says the flow of cross-Channel goods could be reduced to 40% of current rates on day one, with "significant disruption lasting up to six months".
"Unmitigated, this will have an impact on the supply of medicines and medical supplies," it says.
"The reliance of medicines and medical products' supply chains on the short straits crossing make them particularly vulnerable to severe extended delays."
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP called once again for the Tories to "take No Deal off the table".
He said: “The UK Government’s very own analysis has set out plainly the devastating impact a no-deal Brexit will have on Scotland and the UK. From rising food and fuel costs, a hit to medicines supplies, and lengthy delays at the UK’s crossings - the evidence all points to the reality that it will be ordinary people and families that will pay the price of the Tories’ reckless and ideological Brexit plans.
Michael Gove said the Government did not intend to release communications between civil sevants and top advisers relating to the proroguation of Parliament
“Time and time again the evidence has shown that there is no such thing as a good Brexit. It’s high time Boris Johnson heeded his own government’s findings and took the threat of a No-Deal off the table once and for all.
“If Parliament was sitting then MPs would be able to question ministers on the details that have been published – instead the unelected Tory leader has shut down democracy to avoid scrutiny. I have written to Boris Johnson demanding he recall Parliament immediately so that MPs are able to get on with their jobs of holding the government to account and able to scrutinise its Brexit plans.
“People in Scotland are looking on in horror at the bleak Brexit Britain on offer. Scotland deserves the choice of a better future than the one being imposed upon it by a broken Westminster system. It is clearer than ever that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s interests is by becoming an independent European nation.”
The document's assumptions are "as of August 2" this year. It was released following a Commons motion put down by former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve.
In a letter to Grieve, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, who is overseeing no-deal planning, said the document detailed a "reasonable worst case scenario".
However, Gove said the Government was opposed to releasing electronic communications issued by named civil servants and Government special advisers regarding the suspension of Parliament as outlined in the Commons motion.
The Minister said: "To name individuals without any regard for their rights or the consequences of doing so goes far beyond any reasonable right of Parliament under this procedure.
"It offends against basic principles of fairness and the civil service duty of care towards its employees."
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