The European Commission has warned that is it now “increasingly likely” that the UK will leave the EU without a deal in two-and-a-half weeks time.
The commission this morning said that it had finalised its plans for a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.
It noted that if the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement is not approved by the House of Commons by March 29th, the UK how it plans to move forward ahead before April 12th.
“While the European Union continues to hope that it will not be the case, this means that if the Withdrawal Agreement is not ratified by Friday 29 March, a “no-deal” scenario may occur on 12th April,” the EC said in a statement.
“It is now important that everyone is ready for and aware of the practical consequences a “no-deal” scenario brings.”
It comes as UK Prime Minister Theresa May chairs a meeting of her Cabinet amid reports her position has become increasingly uncertain.
After the meeting she is expected to brief the House of Commons on last week’s summit of EU leaders.
At the meeting in Brussels, European leaders agreed to delay Brexit until May 22nd – offering Mrs five weeks less than she requested.
No deal
Outlining its plans for a ‘no-deal’ scenario this morning, the EC warned that the UK will “become a third country” with all EU law ceasing to apply to it “from that moment onwards.”
“There will be no transition period, as provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement,” it said. “This will obviously cause significant disruption for citizens and businesses.”
It said the EUs relations with the UK would then be governed by “general international public law, including rules of the World Trade Organisation.”
“The EU will be required to immediately apply its rules and tariffs at its borders with the UK. “This includes checks and controls for customs, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and verification of compliance with EU norms.
“Despite the considerable preparations of the Member States' customs authorities, these controls could cause significant delays at the border.”
It also notes that as UK citizens will no longer be citizens of the EU, they will be subject to additional checks when crossing into the bloc.
“Member States have made considerable preparations at ports and airports to ensure that these checks are done as efficiently as possible, but they may nevertheless cause delays.”
