Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) automotive, aerospace, medicines and agri-foods sectors and (b) all businesses to plan and prepare in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Supporting the long-term competitiveness of UK industry and business is a priority for ministers across Government. Through the Automotive Sector Deal, the Faraday Battery Challenge and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles for example, we are ensuring the UK remains internationally competitive post Exit, and continues to be a world leader in the development of emerging automotive technologies.

We remain focused on ensuring our smooth and orderly withdrawal from the EU with a deal. However, as a responsible Government we are engaging extensively with all sectors of the economy to understand their needs and help mitigate the impacts of a no deal exit. In the last year, DExEU ministers attended approximately 200 engagements with business and civil society stakeholders. We have published approximately 750 pieces of no deal communications since August 2018, including 106 technical notices. When necessary we will continue to update our advice on how people should prepare.