UK to wait until 'last moment' to spend on 'no deal' plan - Brexit

Taxpayers' money will not be spent on preparing for a "no-deal" Brexit until the "very last moment", Chancellor Philip Hammond has suggested.

He said he was preparing for "no deal" and all other outcomes and would make money available when needed.

But he said he wouldn't take money from other areas, like health or education, now just to "send a message" to the EU.

At PM's questions Theresa May rejected claims she was ramping up "no deal" talk, insisting she wanted agreement.

"We are actively working... with the EU to ensure a good deal, the right deal for Britain for a brighter future for this country," Mrs May told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions.

One ex-minister, David Jones, has said billions should be set aside in November's Budget for a "no deal" scenario, arguing that if this did not happen it would be seen as a "a sign of weakness" by EU leaders who would think the UK was not serious about leaving the EU without a deal.

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