Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what meetings his Department has had with Knowsley Borough Council on preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

Local government plays a vital role in preparing the country to be fully ready for Brexit on 31 October.

We have stepped up our preparedness significantly and speak regularly to councils and partners, including through the Local Government Brexit Delivery Board and a network of nine regional chief executives. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government leads this engagement.

Every council has designated a Brexit Lead Officer to work with central government to intensify their local preparations and, in total, we have made £77 million available to help local areas get ready for Brexit.