The Government has decided to take advantage of the extension to the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union in order to continue to progress with separate workstreams in preparation for both a deal and for a no deal Brexit. This follows the decision taken in the United Kingdom to stand down on some of the aspects in relation to planning for the latter.

The Prime Minister has said that preparations for a no deal outcome must continue, though with sensibly adjusted timescales given the extension that has been agreed.

The Brexit Strategy Group of the Government met this morning chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia. The meeting also included the Chief Secretary Darren Grech, the Deputy Collector of Customs Paul Villalta, the Civil Contingencies Coordinator Ivor Lopez, Principal Secretary to the DCM Caine Sanchez, Parliamentary Counsel Paul Peralta and Janine Galliano from the Ministry of the Environment. The Attorney General Michael Llamas and Legal Officer Daniel D’Amato joined the meeting from Brussels.

In line with the approach outlined by the Prime Minister, it was agreed that the Brexit Executive Group composed of senior officials only which is chaired by the Chief Secretary will for now meet fortnightly instead of weekly.

There was a review of the current position with reports on the different workstreams, in particular reports on the supply chain, commerce, critical services, health and social care, law and order, public services, legislation and data protection.  The meeting was also informed about a confidential discussion with different large and medium sized food retailers that took place last week.

The public will be aware that an extension to our EU departure has been granted to 31 October. However, this does not mean that the United Kingdom and Gibraltar cannot leave before then.

The UK can leave at any time if the UK Parliament approves the Withdrawal Agreement which was concluded in November 2018.

We could also leave on 31 May without an agreement, if the United Kingdom chooses not to hold European elections. This eventuality is very unlikely because both UK and Gibraltar have started to make legal and administrative preparations for these elections.

Nonetheless, if the Withdrawal Agreement were to be adopted before the date for European elections (23 May in the UK and Gibraltar), then the UK could then leave with an Agreement obviating the need for such elections.

The Government has therefore decided to use the extension in order to enhance contingency planning measures. The work done up to date means that Gibraltar is better prepared than ever before. It has also assisted wider planning and procurement strategies unrelated to Brexit and has helped to cement the working relationship relationship between individual departments of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar Governments. This close contact is in itself extremely positive given the negotiations on the future relationship which may come our way.

The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia said:

“The preferred option for the Government is a revocation of Article 50 with both the United Kingdom and Gibraltar remaining in the European Union as we are now. We would also support a further vote on the matter given the knowledge of the full consequences of EU departure that are known now were not readily apparent in June 2016.

However, we have a duty to prepare Gibraltar for our departure from the European Union in the eventuality that it were to happen with a Withdrawal Agreement or without it. The Government is very grateful to the different teams of dedicated public servants that have worked extremely hard to make sure that Gibraltar continues to prepare effectively for a possible EU exit.”