THE mutant Covid border shutdown has proved Britain is prepared for a No Deal Brexit, Grant Shapps insists.
The Transport Secretary says work on emergency plans within the mild of commerce talks collapsing had been “introduced ahead by just a few weeks”.
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Grant Shapps insisted the border shutdown proves Britain is prepared for a No Deal BrexitCredit score: AFP or licensors
He claimed 500 backed-up lorries in Dover had been whittled right down to 170 in 24 hoursCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
And heaping strain on Brussels to climb down in negotiations, Mr Shapps added this had helped keep away from significant chaos with the French travel ban.
He claimed 500 backed-up lorries in Dover, Kent, had been whittled right down to 170 in 24 hours, with measures to regulate overflow working easily — although trade officers disputed this.
Mr Shapps stated: “A few of the cause we’re not seeing large issues in Kent is as a result of work happening for very many months, years even, is coming to fruition — a bit sooner than anticipated.
“To a big extent, it reveals we’re prepared.”
But final night time, hopes of a commerce deal soared amid claims the EU had lowered calls for for a fishing transition interval from ten years to 5.
Work happening for very many months is coming to fruition. To a big extent, it reveals we’re prepared.
Grant Shapps
It’s understood Brussels may decide on round a 35 per cent discount in quotas — a £140million per 12 months enhance to UK fishing.
Earlier, Boris Johnson had shot down calls for to increase the transition interval previous the tip of the 12 months.
He was backed by Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer, who claimed: “I don’t need an extension, I desire a deal.”
SNP chief Nicola Sturgeon, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and a few Tory MPs stated Brexit should be delayed due to Covid.
They need the UK stored within the EU’s single market and customs union till the tip of March.
However the concept was dismissed by officers, who stated a delay could be pointless if legally doable.
The EU would fairly negotiate proper as much as December 30 and log out a deal by way of e-mail if essential.
Boris Johnson beforehand shot down calls for to increase the transition intervalCredit score: Getty
Nicola Sturgeon and a few Tory MPs stated Brexit must be delayed as a consequence of CovidCredit score: Getty
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