UK will not engage in 'tit-for-tat battle' with EU over no-deal Brexit, pledges Dominic Raab

Britain would take "unilateral action" in the event of a no-deal Brexit to keep trade and transport flowing freely, Dominic Raab is set to pledge today.

In his first major speech as Brexit Secretary, he will say the Government would not risk triggering a tit-for-tat battle with Brussels by imposing new border checks or travel restrictions.

His speech will coincide with the publication of the first batch in a series of technical notices advising businesses and the public on what they need to do to prepare for a no-deal scenario.

He is due to say: "I remain confident a good deal is within our sights, and that remains our top, and overriding, priority. If the EU responds with the level of ambition and pragmatism, we will strike a strong deal that benefits both sides.

"But, we must be ready to consider the alternative. We have a duty, as a responsible government, to plan for every eventuality.

"These technical notices - and the ones that will follow - are a sensible, measured, and proportionate approach to minimising the impact of no deal on British firms, citizens, charities and public bodies."

He will add: "They will provide information and guidance. Our overarching aim is to facilitate the smooth, continued, functioning of business, transport, infrastructure, research, aid programmes and funding streams.

"In some cases, it means taking unilateral action to maintain as much continuity as possible in the short term, in the event of no deal - irrespective of whether the EU reciprocates."

Mr Raab in his speech will say the UK, in the event of a no-deal, would "diverge when we are ready, on our terms" from the European Union.

The Brexit Secretary will explain there is already planning talks between the Bank of England and the European Central Bank for a no-deal scenario and called for talks to begin on data protection and between port authorities.

Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer dismissed the documents as a distraction, saying a no deal would be "catastrophic".

He said: "A no deal Brexit would be a complete failure by the Government to negotiate for Britain. These documents should not distract us from that.

"No deal would be catastrophic for people's jobs, the economy and for the border in Northern Ireland. It is irresponsible for anyone to casualise no deal."

Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake called on ministers to give the public a final say on the deal, he said: "The choice between a catastrophic Brexit no-deal and the rejected Chequers plan is no choice at all.

"That's why the Liberal Democrats think the public deserves a vote on the final deal and a chance to exit from Brexit."

Under current plans, the reports will be published in batches, starting on Thursday and running through September.

The Government has not confirmed the subjects they cover but reports suggest they include subjects including aviation safety, civilian nuclear power, medical drugs, the rights of British citizens living in the EU, road haulage and fishing rights.

The speech comes as scores of Tory Eurosceptics are reported to have written to Mrs May to try to get her to 'chuck' her Chequers plan.

Jacob Rees-Mogg and more than 60 Tory Eurosceptics penned the letter to grassroots Conservatives.

The letter contains a point-by-point rebuttal of Mrs May's Chequers compromise, describing it as the "wrong deal for Britain", according to the Telegraph.