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Brexit 50p coins to be 'recycled' after PM accepts extension | Brexit 50p coins to be 'recycled' after PM accepts extension |
(32 minutes later) | |
Commemorative coins minted to mark Brexit on 31 October will be "recycled" after the UK's exit from the EU was delayed by a further three months. | Commemorative coins minted to mark Brexit on 31 October will be "recycled" after the UK's exit from the EU was delayed by a further three months. |
The Royal Mint had been asked to produce new 50p pieces featuring the UK's scheduled departure date. | The Royal Mint had been asked to produce new 50p pieces featuring the UK's scheduled departure date. |
However, in a move first reported by Bloomberg, the coins are to be scrapped as the UK will not now leave the EU this week. | However, in a move first reported by Bloomberg, the coins are to be scrapped as the UK will not now leave the EU this week. |
A Treasury spokesman said a coin will still be produced to mark Brexit. | A Treasury spokesman said a coin will still be produced to mark Brexit. |
He added that it "will enter circulation after we have left" the European Union. | He added that it "will enter circulation after we have left" the European Union. |
According to the Royal Mint website, precious metals are recycled by being sorted and shredded before being melted down. The 50p coin is made from copper, increasingly considered a precious metal, and nickel. | According to the Royal Mint website, precious metals are recycled by being sorted and shredded before being melted down. The 50p coin is made from copper, increasingly considered a precious metal, and nickel. |
Metals are then purified and solidified before being turned into new products, the site adds. | Metals are then purified and solidified before being turned into new products, the site adds. |
The UK was due to leave the EU at the end of the month, but the PM was required to request an extension after Parliament failed to agree a Brexit deal. | The UK was due to leave the EU at the end of the month, but the PM was required to request an extension after Parliament failed to agree a Brexit deal. |
On Monday, Mr Johnson formally accepted the bloc's offer of an extension until 31 January 2020. | On Monday, Mr Johnson formally accepted the bloc's offer of an extension until 31 January 2020. |
The PM's acceptance means that the UK will not now leave the EU on Thursday - despite a "do or die" promise he repeatedly made during this summer's Tory leadership campaign and since entering Downing Street in July. | The PM's acceptance means that the UK will not now leave the EU on Thursday - despite a "do or die" promise he repeatedly made during this summer's Tory leadership campaign and since entering Downing Street in July. |
Up to 10 million new coins were reportedly being made ready for the Halloween deadline, in a project championed by Chancellor Sajid Javid since he took office in July. | Up to 10 million new coins were reportedly being made ready for the Halloween deadline, in a project championed by Chancellor Sajid Javid since he took office in July. |
He had asked officials to look at whether it would be possible to produce the coins in time for the 31 October date. They were due to feature a message of "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations". | He had asked officials to look at whether it would be possible to produce the coins in time for the 31 October date. They were due to feature a message of "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations". |
Mr Javid's predecessor, Philip Hammond, had planned a limited edition of about 10,000 commemorative 50p coins to be sold to collectors for £10 each. | Mr Javid's predecessor, Philip Hammond, had planned a limited edition of about 10,000 commemorative 50p coins to be sold to collectors for £10 each. |
Under plans signed off by the Queen earlier this month, three different types of 50p Brexit coins were to be made from gold, silver and cupro-nickel - a mixture of copper and nickel. | Under plans signed off by the Queen earlier this month, three different types of 50p Brexit coins were to be made from gold, silver and cupro-nickel - a mixture of copper and nickel. |
The silver and cupro-nickel pieces were set to become legal tender. | The silver and cupro-nickel pieces were set to become legal tender. |
The design, featuring the monarch's head and a standard inscription on one side and the special message and date on the other, was approved at a meeting of the Privy Council on 8 October. | The design, featuring the monarch's head and a standard inscription on one side and the special message and date on the other, was approved at a meeting of the Privy Council on 8 October. |
The cost of designing and producing commemorative coins is met by the Royal Mint at no cost to the taxpayer. | The cost of designing and producing commemorative coins is met by the Royal Mint at no cost to the taxpayer. |
The Treasury said it would not comment on the cost of producing the coins as this is "commercially sensitive information". | The Treasury said it would not comment on the cost of producing the coins as this is "commercially sensitive information". |
Mr Johnson had repeatedly said the UK would leave on 31 October deadline with or without a deal. | Mr Johnson had repeatedly said the UK would leave on 31 October deadline with or without a deal. |
However, the law - known as the Benn Act - required him to accept the EU's extension offer when he couldn't get his Brexit deal through Parliament in time for the deadline. |
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