The chancellor of the exchequer has doubled Brexit funding for this year to £2.1bn in a bid to accelerate no-deal preparations.
In an announcement yesterday (July 31) Sajid Javid ring-fenced £1.1bn for immediate use by departments in preparing "critical areas" for the UK's departure from the European Union on October 31.
He also promised a further £1bn to fund preparations if needed.
The funding is expected to be used for border and customs operations, critical medical supplies, support for UK nationals abroad and an "awareness campaign" targeted at the public and businesses in the UK.
The announcement brings the total Brexit funding made available by the Treasury to £6.3bn, including £4.2bn in this financial year alone.
Mr Javid, a former investment banker, was appointed to the position of chancellor as part of Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle earlier this month.
He was home secretary under Theresa May and backed Remain in the EU referendum, but is widely considered a eurosceptic.
Mr Javid said: "With 92 days until the UK leaves the European Union it’s vital that we intensify our planning to ensure we are ready.
"We want to get a good deal that abolishes the anti-democratic backstop. But if we can’t get a good deal, we’ll have to leave without one. This additional £2.1bn will ensure we are ready to leave on October 31 - deal or no deal."
The Treasury, seeking to "turbo-charge" no deal preparations, has allocated £344m to new border and customs operations, £434m to ensure a supply of medicine and medical products and £108m to support businesses in the Brexit process.
A further £138m will be spent boosting "public communications", including an "information campaign" to help the public and businesses prepare for the UK's departure later this year.
rachel.addison@ft.com
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