Exiting the European Union 1 2019-02-26 Brexit Department for Exiting the European Union false Sir Henry Bellingham House of Commons North West Norfolk Exiting the European Union 203 What steps the Government is taking to prepare contingency plans for the UK leaving the EU without a deal. Biography information for Lord Bellingham 2019-02-28T13:58:33.367Z Daventry Chris Heaton-Harris false 2019-02-28 Biography information for Chris Heaton-Harris <p>Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. Our no deal preparations will ensure the country is prepared for every eventuality. Extensive preparations have been underway for over two years and these are continuing.</p><p>We have passed critical legislation, signed international agreements, recruited additional staff and guaranteed certain EU funding in a no deal scenario. Border Force is recruiting c.600 additional Border Force officers and HMRC have already hired over 2,300 extra staff for Brexit, including additional operational staff, like customs inspectors.</p><p>In September 2018, and again in December and February, HMRC sent letters to the 145,000 VAT registered businesses who currently trade with the EU advising them what action they need to take on customs in the event of no deal.</p><p>We have also published and updated 106 specific technical notices to help businesses, citizens and consumers prepare for a no-deal scenario.</p><p> </p> 909509 1 0 10 1