Defra to receive millions of pounds for Brexit preparations

3,012 of the 20,833 European rules which need to be returned to the UK cover agriculture, making Defra one of the Government departments most heavily affected by leaving the EU.

Theresa May told the House of Commons about the funding during Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday (October 11).

After being asked by Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith whether she was making plans to leave the EU with no trade deal in place, she said: “We are preparing for every eventuality. We are committing money to prepare for Brexit, including a no-deal scenario.

New money

“The Treasury has committed over £250 million of new money to departments such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Home Office, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Department for Transport in this financial year for Brexit preparations.

“In some cases, departments will need to spend money before the relevant legislation has gone through the House.

“Where money needs to be spent, it will be spent.”

Eight months ago, the Treasury asked Defra to model cuts of 3 and 6 per cent for the year 2019-2020, raising concerns about the department’s ability to cope with the extra Brexit workload.