Britain will step up its planning for a no-deal Brexit on Thursday as it publishes a series of notes advising people and businesses how to protect themselves from the potential disruption of a clean break with the European Union.

With less than eight months to go until the March 29 exit day, Britain has yet to reach a divorce agreement with the bloc. Negotiations resumed on Tuesday but diplomats in Brussels expect an informal deadline of October to be missed.

More than 80 technical notices are expected over the coming weeks, with media reporting they will cover everything from financial services to food labelling.

“I remain confident a good deal is within our sights, and that remains our top, and overriding, priority … But, we must be ready to consider the alternative,” Brexit minister Dominic Raab will say in a speech to mark the publication of the first tranche of notices, according to extracts released in advance.

“These technical notices … are a sensible, measured and proportionate approach to minimising the impact of no deal on British firms, citizens, charities and public bodies.”

Several ministers have warned that the risk of leaving without an agreement has increased. Earlier this month trade minister Liam Fox put the chances at 60-40.

Raab will say that in some cases Britain will take unilateral action to maintain continuity in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

“While we may take that approach in the short-term, we will be outside the EU, and free to diverge when we are ready, on our terms, in the UK national interest,” he will say.

Many economists say failure to agree exit terms would seriously damage the world’s fifth-largest economy as trade with the EU, Britain’s largest market, would become subject to tariffs.

Supporters of Brexit say there may be some short-term pain for the economy, but that long-term it will prosper when cut free from the EU.

A survey this month by the Institute of Directors, a business lobby group, found that fewer than a third of company bosses had carried out contingency planning on Brexit.

“‘No deal’ preparations should have happened far earlier, and the onus is on government to move quickly and give businesses as much detailed technical information as possible to avoid significant disruption in any scenario,” Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said before the publication of the advice notices.

Customs and tax procedures, immigration rules and how to process transactions are among the things companies need more information from government on, Marshall said. </s> Food label designers rejoice: If the United Kingdom leaves the European Union with no trade deal, British firms will be commissioning new nutrition and warning labels because the present ones belong to the EU.

The British government published today the first 25 of 80 planned technical notices designed to help businesses navigate a no-deal Brexit. The U.K. is scheduled to leave the EU in March and trade talks have been rocky. If no deal emerges, the notices will serve as practical guides to matters ranging from labeling to financial services.

In the interim, the publication and a speech by U.K. Secretary of State Dominic Raab, may serve as a signal to both the EU and Brexit supporters that the U.K. is prepared to walk away from on-going talks if it doesn’t get what it wants, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“I am confident a good deal is within our sights,” Raab said in his speech, and he claimed that roughly 80% of the withdrawal is already agreed, with diplomats still working on how to handle the border between Ireland, which will still be an EU member, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

“The overarching aim of the notices is to facilitate the smooth, continued, functioning of business, transport, infrastructure, research, aid programmes and funding streams that have previously come from the EU,” Raab said.

On medical testing, for example, Raab suggested that until the U.K. set up its own independent medical testing system it would accept batches of medicines already tested in an EU member state.

Raab also revealed that the government had budgeted £3 billion ($3.87 billion) for Brexit staffing and expenses.

The EU, meantime, already had published 68 preparedness notices guiding citizens and businesses on Brexit possibilities. </s> These technical notices can only be a starting point for the Government.

'By now, few can be in any doubt that 'no deal' would wreak havoc on economies across Europe. These papers show that those who claim crashing out of the EU on World Trade Organisation rules is acceptable live in a world of fantasy, where facts are not allowed to challenge ideology.

'It's right and responsible that the Government have supplied information to businesses on issues from financial services passporting to food labelling, all of which will help lower the risks of the harshest outcomes from a 'no deal' Brexit. But without a similar response from the EU, many of these mitigating measures would be blunted.

'The reality is that businesses across the UK have already spent millions of pounds and thousands of hours on getting ready for no deal. Whilst smaller firms simply do not have the resources to assess what the worst-case scenario would mean to their enterprises.

'These technical notices can only be a starting point for the Government. Smaller businesses in particular will need a one-stop-shop where they can get the information and support they need to better understand the issues they would face.

'Above all, negotiators must now get on with finalising a Withdrawal Agreement, putting pen put to paper on a jobs-first transition period and finally, agree on a new relationship that puts people's livelihoods above politics.' </s> The United Kingdom government on Thursday offered its advice to businesses and the general public in the event that no deal is reached with the European Union on the country's withdrawal from the bloc.

The Conservative government of Theresa May released 25 documents, dubbed "technical notes," containing "practical" instructions for businesses and citizens covering topics including banking, medicine, nuclear research, labor rights and farming.

"They are designed to inform people and businesses in the UK about what they may need to do, if we don't reach a deal with the EU," said minister for exiting the EU, Dominic Raab. "They are part of a common sense approach to planning for a no deal Brexit."

Raab said the government's "top priority" was to reach a good deal with the EU during the ongoing negotiations but it was "ready to deliver Brexit for the British people if there is no deal."

The minister said the goal would be to maintain a close trade relationship with the bloc, strengthen security cooperation and maintain initiatives such as student exchanges.

He said achieving a good deal was "the most likely outcome."

London and Brussels were still in the negotiations phase, with key issues like the bilateral trade and the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland still to be agreed upon.

The UK is set to leave the EU in March 2018 after a referendum held in June 2016 saw the public narrowly voting in favor of such a move. </s> At a glance: What you need to know about the government’s Brexit technical notices

The government has released 24 technical papers outlining preparations and scenarios that could play out if no Brexit deal can be agreed before Britain leaves the EU in March.

They form the first wave of a series of releases that will see more than 80 papers in the public domain by the end of September.

The key points from the first set of papers and measures announced on Thursday by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab are:
• The removal of an EU ban on credit and debit card surcharges is “likely” to increase the cost of shopping.
• UK citizens living in Europe face the possibility of losing access to their pension income and other financial services.
• Consumers would face another potential cost increase when online shopping, with parcels arriving in the UK no longer liable for Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) on VAT.
• Businesses exporting to Europe may have to “renegotiate commercial terms” to reflect customs and other tariff changes.
• The firms may also need to pay out for new software or hire “a customs broker, freight forwarder or logistics provider” to help them deal with new requirements.
• Companies exporting across the Irish border should “consider whether you will need advice from the Irish government about preparations you need to make”.
• Importing nuclear materials from the EU may require a licence.
• Medicines and other medical products will have to go through “national assessment” before they receive market authorisation to be sold in the UK.
• Cigarette packet health warnings would change as the current images used are copyrighted to the EU.
• Organic food producers face a “cliff edge” of being able to export to the EU only if certified by a body approved by the European Commission, with certification taking up to nine months after Brexit.
• The government is planning to recruit an extra 9,000 staff into the civil service to deal with Brexit, in addition to 7,000 currently working on preparations.
• The government will pay for British aid organisation programmes whose funding could be ended in the event of no deal. </s> Responding to the publication by the Government of the first set of no-deal Brexit technical notices, UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:

“A no-deal Brexit would cause serious problems for many UK businesses, not least of all the hospitality sector. These initial announcements will provide some small measure of reassurance, but we need to see the rest of the proposals and a great deal more detail on how the Government proposes to mitigate the impacts of a no-deal exit.

“There are still major concerns about food and drink imports upon which hospitality businesses rely to a large degree and we still need substantially more clarity on the exact terms for current EU citizens as well as an idea of what the future immigration system will look like.

“We will be looking forward to the future publications for more certainty and detail and, hopefully, proactive plans for the support of the hospitality sector in any Brexit scenario.” </s> The U.K. government is struggling to formulate a plan for Brexit.

That's according to a memo published by The Times newspaper. The leaked memo, written by an external consultant, claims it could take another six months for the government to settle on a strategy for EU exit talks.

It also claims that the government is working on 500 Brexit projects that could require it to hire 30,000 officials.

The office of Prime Minister Theresa May dismissed the report, saying it was not prepared by the government.

"It was produced by an individual from an external accountancy firm," a government spokesman said. "It has no authority and we don't recognize any of the claims it makes. We are getting on with the job of delivering Brexit and making a success of it."

The accountancy firm, Deloitte, said the note was intended "primarily for internal audiences" and was compiled without input from the prime minister's office or any other government department.

That account was disputed by Times journalist Deborah Haynes, who tweeted that senior officials had worked with Deloitte on the memo.

Billed as a "Brexit update," and dated Nov. 7, the memo says that divisions within May's cabinet have slowed the decision making process, and political priorities have trumped economic concerns.

"The prime minister is rapidly acquiring the reputation of drawing in decisions and details to settle matters herself -- which is unlikely to be sustainable," the memo says.

British officials have continued to dodge public questions about the kind of trading relationship they want with the EU after Brexit. They say they don't want to reveal their hand before two years of hard bargaining get underway, probably early next year.

There are major unanswered questions related to immigration. The government is also facing an onslaught of legal challenges to Brexit and the possibility of another referendum on Scottish independence from the U.K.

The memo suggests that businesses, which are hungry for details, should not expect easy answers.

"There will be no clear economic-Brexit strategy any time soon because it is being developed on a case-by-case basis as specific decisions are forced on government," the memo says. </s> THERESA May's floundering Government has no Brexit plan and a poor understanding of what leaving the European Union means for industry, according to a leaked memo prepared for the Cabinet Office.

The November 7 memo obtained by The Times also suggests that Cabinet splits are delaying the Government's ability to agree a negotiating strategy ahead of its goal to begin the Brexit process by April .

Titled "Brexit Update", it criticises the Prime Minister for "drawing in decisions and details to settle matters herself", and warns that big companies will "point a gun at the Government's head" after Nissan was given assurances about trading conditions once Britain leaves the EU.

According to The Times, the memo written by a consultant working for the Cabinet Office, said: "Every department has developed a 'bottom-up' plan of what the impact of Brexit could be - and its plan to cope with the 'worst case'.
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"Although necessary, this falls considerably short of having a ' Government plan for Brexit ' because it has no prioritisation and no link to the overall negotiation strategy."

According to The Times, it said the Government could take another six months to decide what its priorities are, adding: "Despite extended debate among (department) permanent secretaries, no common strategy has emerged.

"It is likely that the senior ranks in the civil service will feel compelled to present potential high level plan(s) to avoid further drift.

"Departments are struggling to come up to speed on the potential Brexit effects on industry.

"This is due to starting from a relatively low base of insight and also due to fragmentation."

The memo also suggested that the Government does not have enough officials to implement Brexit quickly, with departments developing individual plans which have resulted in "well over 500 projects".

An extra 30,000 civil servants are also said to be needed to help organise the bureaucratic process that will take Britain out of the EU.
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Responding to the report, a Government spokesman said: "This is not a Government report and we don't recognise the claims made in it.

"We are focused on getting on with the job of delivering Brexit and making a success of it."

Meanwhile, May has received a boost to her plan to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties to begin the process of leaving the bloc by April.

Labour has pledged not to block or delay it and called for a "more positive" view of Brexit.

In a speech in central London, shadow chancellor John McDonnell will say: "We must not try to re-fight the referendum or push for a second vote.

"And if Article 50 needs to be triggered in Parliament, we will not seek to block or delay it.

"To do so would put Labour against the majority will of the British people and on the side of certain corporate elites, who have always had the British people at the back of the queue."

He will say Labour should "embrace the enormous opportunities to reshape our country that Brexit has opened for us", adding: "In that way we can speak again to those who were left behind and offer a positive, ambitious vision instead of leaving the field open to divisive Trump-style politics." </s> Prime Minister Theresa May's Government has no Brexit plan and a poor understanding of what leaving the European Union means for industry, according to a leaked memo prepared for the Cabinet Office.

The November 7 memo obtained by a national newspaper also suggests that Cabinet splits are delaying the Government's ability to agree a negotiating strategy ahead of its goal to begin the Brexit process by April.

Titled "Brexit Update", it criticises the Prime Minister for "drawing in decisions and details to settle matters herself", and warns that big companies will "point a gun at the Government's head" after Nissan was given assurances about trading conditions once Britain leaves the EU.

According to the newspaper, the memo written by a consultant working for the Cabinet Office, said: "Every department has developed a 'bottom-up' plan of what the impact of Brexit could be - and its plan to cope with the 'worst case'.

"Although necessary, this falls considerably short of having a 'Government plan for Brexit' because it has no prioritisation and no link to the overall negotiation strategy."

According to the newspaper, it said the Government could take another six months to decide what its priorities are, adding: "Despite extended debate among (department) permanent secretaries, no common strategy has emerged.

"It is likely that the senior ranks in the civil service will feel compelled to present potential high level plan(s) to avoid further drift.

"Departments are struggling to come up to speed on the potential Brexit effects on industry.

"This is due to starting from a relatively low base of insight and also due to fragmentation."

The memo also suggested that the Government does not have enough officials to implement Brexit quickly, with departments developing individual plans which have resulted in "well over 500 projects".

Responding to the report, a Government spokesman said: "This is not a Government report and we don't recognise the claims made in it.

"We are focused on getting on with the job of delivering Brexit and making a success of it."

Meanwhile, Mrs May has received a boost to her plan to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties to begin the process of leaving the bloc by April.

Labour has pledged not to block or delay it and called for a "more positive" view of Brexit.

In a speech in central London, shadow chancellor John McDonnell will say: "We must not try to re-fight the referendum or push for a second vote. And if Article 50 needs to be triggered in Parliament, we will not seek to block or delay it.

"To do so would put Labour against the majority will of the British people and on the side of certain corporate elites, who have always had the British people at the back of the queue."

He will say Labour should "embrace the enormous opportunities to reshape our country that Brexit has opened for us", adding: "In that way we can speak again to those who were left behind and offer a positive, ambitious vision instead of leaving the field open to divisive Trump-style politics."

Chris Grayling said the report was "not something the Government's commissioned, it is not something we recognise".

The Transport Secretary denied claims that an extra 30,000 civil servants are needed to take Britain out of the EU.

Mr Grayling, who sits on the Brexit Cabinet committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't know what 30,000 people would do in this process."

He dismissed suggestions that interim Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who has close links to Donald Trump, should have a formal role in dealing with the president-elect.

He said: "Nigel Farage played a significant role in the referendum campaign but we have a team of people on the ground in Washington who have been building ties with the Trump transition team for many months.

"We have ministers in the current government who have close ties to senior Republicans, who know people in the Trump transition team. There are normal government to government relations in a period like this and that's what's going to happen."

Dave Penman, general secretary of senior public servants' union the FDA, said that Brexit represented "the single biggest task facing the civil service since the Second World War" and warned that ministers appeared to be trying to do it "on the cheap".

"Whilst politicians squabble about hard and soft Brexit, there is a deafening silence from ministers over whether any additional resources will be provided to deliver this momentous task," said Mr Penman.

"Brexit on the cheap appears to be the Government's preferred approach, but this will satisfy no-one. Next week's Autumn Statement is the Government's opportunity to outline how it will provide the resources the civil service needs to ensure a successful Brexit.

"The civil service can deliver a positive outcome for the UK, but to do so it must be given the necessary capacity, capability and clear political direction."

Scottish National Party Europe spokesman Stephen Gethins said: "This leaked memo offers a staggering insight into the utter confusion and chaos that dominates the shambolic Tory Party right to the very top, with the Prime Minister.

"Theresa May can no longer expect to blindly push the UK to the brink with clouded rhetoric on the Tories' ideological pursuing of a hard-right Brexit."

Labour MP Pat McFadden, of the Open Britain campaign, said: "This report shows how totally unprepared the leaders of the Leave campaign were for winning the referendum.They urged the UK to leave without having any real idea of what it would involve.

"Now the Government is desperately scrabbling to catch up. There is an urgent need for clarity from Government about priorities, without which this will all be much more difficult and costlier."

Liberal Democrat eader Tim Farron said: "This shambles at the heart of government confirms that the only reason Theresa May won't tell us her Brexit plan is because she doesn't have one.

"It's time for the Prime Minister to stop being led astray by her warring cabinet. Otherwise her Government is heading for the worst possible outcome - a reckless, destructive Brexit that will do untold damage to British jobs and the economy."
The government of the United Kingdom publishes the first 25 of 80 planned "technical notices" providing practical guidance to businesses in case of a no-deal Brexit.