| answer text |
<p>A future partnership between the UK and EU is in the interests of both sides, and
we have entered into the negotiations anticipating success. However, since the result
of the referendum, we have taken the responsible approach to work at pace to build
a detailed understanding of how withdrawing from the EU will affect policies and services
for a range of outcomes, including the unlikely scenario in which no mutually satisfactory
agreement can be reached.</p><p>Given the long lead-in times to implement some of
our contingency measures, we need to begin now for them to remain viable. But implementing
the first stages of contingency plans now should not be interpreted as an expectation
that talks with the EU will not be successful, and we are clear that securing a good
deal for both sides is by far and away the highest probability, but we have a duty
to plan for the alternative. These are the actions of a responsible government determined
to ensure a smooth exit under any eventuality.</p><p> </p>
|
|
