Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effect on the Government’s Get Ready for Brexit campaign of seeking an extension to Article 50 as required under the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019; and what plans he has to (a) change and (b) end that campaign if an extension to Article 50 is agreed.

The EU Withdrawal (No.2) Act cannot require the EU to agree an extension. It remains the case in law that the UK is set to leave the EU on 31 October 2019.

The Act set conditions on the Government if a deal had not been reached with the EU by 19 October or Parliament had not voted to leave without a deal. It is still the case any extension has to be approved unanimously by the EU27. If this unanimity is not forthcoming the UK will leave the EU on 31 October.

On this basis, it is important that businesses and citizens continue to prepare themselves for leaving the EU on 31 October and do not assume they can put off preparations until a later date. As a responsible Government, it is vital that we provide the information people and businesses need to prepare.

The “Get Ready for Brexit” campaign is a public information campaign providing citizens and businesses with the facts they need to know to be able to prepare for Brexit.

The campaign is a cross-government campaign which uses national advertising including TV, radio, press, digital and outdoor advertising. It also includes direct engagement and local elements including business preparedness events, ministerial visits and local authority activity.