Medical isotopes will be flown to Britain under No Deal plans for an emergency ‘air-bridge’ with mainland Europe
MEDICAL isotopes will be flown to Britain under No Deal plans for an emergency “air-bridge” with mainland Europe – Whitehall chiefs have revealed.
Praising the new “momentum” behind No Deal planning the head of the civil service today revealed preparations were well developed to cope with disruption between Dover and Calais.
John Manzoni said contracts were being drawn up for air freight services to fly in critical medical supplies – such as isotopes critical for cancer care.
He added that …
- Talks were taking place with 400 suppliers of medical kit to ensure contingency plans were in place for October 31.
- Around 2,600 civil service staff were on standby to help as No Deal planning is “ramped up” between now and the Brexit deadline.
- Some 100 “pop up” customs checks would be deployed along main roads to ensure hauliers heading to Europe have the correct paperwork for their return from Calais and other European ports.
Speaking to MPs on the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Mr Manzoni said there was a “new cadence” to No Deal work since Boris Johnson took over in No.10.
Challenged about the impact of the new Boris Johnson-led administration, he said: “There has been a new movement, a new drive but what has been pleasing is that the work we had done has been displayed to a new group of people and they found it was good work.”
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He reiterated that a staggering 17,000 civil service staff were working on Brexit – and that the EU divorce meant work on some issues had been shelved.
But he insisted: “Undoubtedly a lot of other stuff not visible from the top is not taking place – and I actually I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
“More prioritisation is something I would support.”
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