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Scottish government warns against 'no deal' Brexit Scottish government warns against 'no deal' Brexit
(about 9 hours later)
Scotland's Brexit secretary has urged the UK government to rule out a "no deal Brexit", arguing that it would be "deeply damaging and disruptive".Scotland's Brexit secretary has urged the UK government to rule out a "no deal Brexit", arguing that it would be "deeply damaging and disruptive".
Michael Russell was speaking ahead of a major speech by his UK government counterpart Dominic Raab.Michael Russell was speaking ahead of a major speech by his UK government counterpart Dominic Raab.
Mr Raab will set out the government's planning for the possibility of leaving the EU without an agreement.Mr Raab will set out the government's planning for the possibility of leaving the EU without an agreement.
The government is also expected to publish the first of a series of papers aimed at preparing for the scenario.The government is also expected to publish the first of a series of papers aimed at preparing for the scenario.
The 70 "technical notices", which will be published in batches between today and the end of September, will include advice for businesses, citizens and public bodies.The 70 "technical notices", which will be published in batches between today and the end of September, will include advice for businesses, citizens and public bodies.
The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, and the two sides are currently negotiating the terms of its exit and its future relations in a whole range of issues.The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, and the two sides are currently negotiating the terms of its exit and its future relations in a whole range of issues.
Fundamental differences remain as they enter the crucial phase of talks, and recent weeks have seen an increasing focus on the possibility of no deal being reached.Fundamental differences remain as they enter the crucial phase of talks, and recent weeks have seen an increasing focus on the possibility of no deal being reached.
The UK has insisted that "no deal is better than a bad deal", with government ministers dismissing fears of shortages and queues of lorries at ports.The UK has insisted that "no deal is better than a bad deal", with government ministers dismissing fears of shortages and queues of lorries at ports.
Labour has joined the SNP in claiming a no-deal outcome would be "catastrophic" and a "complete failure by the government to negotiate for Britain".
The party's Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer told Radio 4's Today programme the government was "now moving into panic mode" and its latest advice would not reassure anyone.
In his speech later on Thursday morning, Mr Raab will insist that he remains confident of striking a "strong deal that benefits both sides".In his speech later on Thursday morning, Mr Raab will insist that he remains confident of striking a "strong deal that benefits both sides".
But he will pledge that the government will ensure the "smooth, continued, functioning" of the UK economy if that does not happen, and that it will take "unilateral action" to maintain continuity if negotiations breakdown.But he will pledge that the government will ensure the "smooth, continued, functioning" of the UK economy if that does not happen, and that it will take "unilateral action" to maintain continuity if negotiations breakdown.
Mr Raab will say: "We must be ready to consider the alternative. We have a duty, as a responsible government, to plan for every eventuality.Mr Raab will say: "We must be ready to consider the alternative. We have a duty, as a responsible government, to plan for every eventuality.
"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.""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."
Ahead of the speech, Mr Russell urged Mr Raab to "immediately rule out" the possibility of leaving the EU without striking a deal, and repeated his calls for the UK to remain in the single market after Brexit.Ahead of the speech, Mr Russell urged Mr Raab to "immediately rule out" the possibility of leaving the EU without striking a deal, and repeated his calls for the UK to remain in the single market after Brexit.
He said: "A no deal Brexit would be deeply damaging and disruptive for Scotland, the rest of the UK and the EU. Indeed, it has been described as a "cliff-edge scenario" by the European Commission.He said: "A no deal Brexit would be deeply damaging and disruptive for Scotland, the rest of the UK and the EU. Indeed, it has been described as a "cliff-edge scenario" by the European Commission.
"It is therefore time for the UK government to immediately rule it out and accept the Scottish government's strong case, if Brexit goes ahead, for remaining within the European single market and customs union.""It is therefore time for the UK government to immediately rule it out and accept the Scottish government's strong case, if Brexit goes ahead, for remaining within the European single market and customs union."
'Lack of clarity''Lack of clarity'
Mr Russell said the Scottish government was "preparing for all exit possibilities" but was being "constrained by the lack of clarity on the direction of negotiations with the EU and by uncertainty about the possible outcome of that".Mr Russell said the Scottish government was "preparing for all exit possibilities" but was being "constrained by the lack of clarity on the direction of negotiations with the EU and by uncertainty about the possible outcome of that".
He added: "For significant reserved areas, such as aviation and energy, we are at the mercy of the UK government's preparations.He added: "For significant reserved areas, such as aviation and energy, we are at the mercy of the UK government's preparations.
"It would be far better for Scotland and the UK if, instead of putting effort into an undesirable no deal scenario, the UK government focussed on securing the least worst outcome for all of us.""It would be far better for Scotland and the UK if, instead of putting effort into an undesirable no deal scenario, the UK government focussed on securing the least worst outcome for all of us."
Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said earlier this week that the Scottish NHS was working with colleagues in England to ensure there were sufficient medical supplies, including crucial drugs such as insulin, in the event of a no deal Brexit.Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said earlier this week that the Scottish NHS was working with colleagues in England to ensure there were sufficient medical supplies, including crucial drugs such as insulin, in the event of a no deal Brexit.