The U.K. government is set to publish more than a dozen additional “no-deal” guidance papers, including one that will offer advice to citizens regarding their rights in such a scenario.
More than 70 papers on topics including travel, medicines, energy and trade have been published since August, in three batches, with technical and practical guidance for people and businesses on preparing for a possible no-deal Brexit.
The third batch of documents released last week had been widely expected to be the last, but papers on several topics are still circulating in Whitehall awaiting completion and final sign-off, a U.K. government official familiar with the matter said.
Two government officials confirmed that further papers are still to be published. The first official said the number would be “in the teens.” The precise timing of their publication remains uncertain, but with Brexit withdrawal talks entering their final stages ahead of this month’s European Council summit, it is likely to be a matter of weeks rather than months.
The paper on citizens rights will be of particular interest, and is a priority for publication, the first official said.
The U.K. has a plan to grant settled status to the more than three million EU citizens living in the U.K. and all those who move to the U.K. before the end of the 21-month transition period set out in the U.K.’s draft withdrawal agreement with the EU.
Precisely how this process would be affected by no-deal remains unclear, but Prime Minister Theresa May has offered a guarantee that even in such a scenario, people’s rights will be protected. In her Downing Street statement following the fractious Salzburg summit last month, May said: “There are over three million EU citizens living in the U.K. who will be understandably worried about what the outcome of yesterday’s summit means for their future.
“I want to be clear with you that even in the event of no deal your rights will be protected. You are our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues. We want you to stay.”