Army 'on standby to deliver food and medicine' if no Brexit deal is reached

A stock image of troops at Westminster as ministers reveal the Army could be drafted in in the event of a no deal Brexit
Alex Lentati
Fiona Simpson30 July 2018
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The Army could be drafted in to deliver emergency food, fuel and medicine if Britain exits the EU without a Brexit deal.

The military would be called in if blockages at ports after Britain leaves the EU led to shortages in supplies, ministers told the Sunday Times.

Blueprints usually reserved for civil emergencies have been included as part of the “no deal” planning, the newspaper reported.

Helicopters and army trucks could be used to carry medicine to vulnerable people outside the south-east.

Under pressure: Theresa May took 'personal responsibility' for Brexit last week 
Getty Images

A Ministry of Defence source told the Sunday Times that "no formal request" to supply aid had been received but said the department has "a blueprint for us supporting the civilian authorities that can be dusted off".

The revelation comes as supermarkets issued a warning to suppliers to stockpile customers’ favourite tea and coffee while the NHS said it would stockpile drugs brought in from outside the EU if Theresa May fails to strike a deal with Brussels.

Last week, health secretary Matt Hancock said he met with medical industry leaders to “accelerate” preparations for the possible outcome

Health secretary Matt Hancock 
Getty Images

Mr Hancock said he was confident a deal would be reached but that it “responsible to prepare for all outcomes”.

Speaking at the Health Select Committee on Tuesday, he said: “Any responsible government needs to prepare for a range of outcomes, including the unlikely scenario of a no-deal

Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest

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"We are working right across Government to ensure that the health sector and the industry are prepared and that people's health will be safeguarded in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

"This includes the chain of medical supplies, vaccines, medical devices, clinical consumables, blood products.

"And I have asked the department to work up options for stockpiling by industry.”

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