The EU has just stated it is: “increasingly likely that the UK will leave the EU without a deal on April 12.” The UK Government also continues to claim that it is ready for a no-deal Brexit.

In fact, the only significant change made to the Brexit timetable at the Brussels Summit last week may turn out to have been to push back the default leaving date from 29 March to 12 April. The cliff edge is still there, we are just taking a slightly longer route to it.

There are other journeys we could take that would mean that this is as close as we get to that cliff edge, but the possibilities of us following them are much, much slimmer. Mrs. May’s deal could still be ratified by parliament, in which case our leaving date moves to 22 May and a 21-month Withdrawal plan kicks in.  Or our leaving could be cancelled altogether if parliament votes to revoke Article 50. Or it could be postponed for up to 21 months if there is a People’s Vote or a general election.

But no-deal is still the default option, however. You may well regret it, if you wait another week to see what transpires. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst has become the Ready for Brexit mantra. And it has stood the test of time, so we are still saying it.

Use our audit tool to check that your supply chains are ready for customs tariffs and rules of origin, if not maybe there is still time to make an alternative arrangement. Use our checklists to to focus on the areas that will most impact your business. And download our No Deal Brexit Survival Plan to do just that.

We’re here to help.

Anna