Written question asked by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 July 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 July 2018. It was answered by Lord Callanan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 July 2018 on behalf of the Department for Exiting the European Union.

Department for Work and Pensions: Brexit

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what planning the Department for Work and Pensions is undertaking to prepare for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement; whether they will publish or place in the Library of the House any such plans; and what further preparations, if any, for leaving without an agreement that department is undertaking.

Answer: As we continue to make progress in negotiations, we are increasingly confident that we will secure a deal with the EU and in recent months the prospect of leaving negotiations with ‘no deal’ has receded significantly. However, as a responsible government we are preparing for all possible outcomes. Departments’ plans are well developed and are designed to respond to all scenarios, including the unlikely possibility that we leave the EU without a deal in place. Some delivery of contingency plans has already become evident, and more will become public over the coming weeks and months. Parliament has been regularly updated on these preparations for ‘no deal’ and we will continue to provide updates.

Secondary information