Brexit preparedness and business contingency planning examined
11 October 2018
The Exiting the European Union Committee questions representatives from small businesses, the pharmaceutical industry, and road haulage.
- Watch Parliament TV: The progress of the UK's negotiations on EU withdrawal
- Inquiry: The progress of the UK's negotiations on EU withdrawal
- Exiting the European Union Committee
Brexit coordination across Whitehall
With talks between the UK Government and European Commission continuing ahead of next week's European Council summit, the Committee is in the morning holding a session to examine Brexit preparedness and coordination across Whitehall. Following the Prime Minister's machinery of government changes announced in July, the Committee focuses on the Department for Exiting the European Union's performance in its new role, as well as cross-Government preparations for Brexit and for no deal, and post-Brexit preparations.
'No deal' and businesses' contingency planning
In the afternoon, the Committee reconvenes for a session focusing on no deal and contingency planning being undertaken by businesses large and small. The Government has indicated that, while its favoured outcome would be to secure agreement with the European Union on the terms of exit and a future partnership after an implementation period, it is preparing for a scenario whereby the UK leaves the EU without a deal. The Committee questions representatives about contingency planning across the food, pharmaceutical and road haulage sectors, the technical notices published by the Government over recent weeks, and Government engagement with businesses.
Witnesses
Wednesday 10 October, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
From 9.15am
- Sir Amyas Morse, Comptroller and Auditor General, National Audit Office
From 10.15am
- Sir Simon Fraser, Deputy Chairman and Adviser to Europe Programme, Chatham House; former Permanent Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Julian Jessop, Chief Economist, Institute for Economic Affairs
- Jill Rutter, Programme Director, Institute for Government
From 3.00pm
- Richard Burnett, Chief Executive, Road Haulage Association
- Martin McTague, Policy and Advocacy Chair, Federation of Small Businesses
- Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability, British Retail Consortium
- Mike Thompson, Chief Executive, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Further information
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