23 August 2018 Increased credit card charges for UK cardholders in Europe and tariffs on goods exported to the EU are likely results of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, according to the UK government’s advice issued today. Extra paperwork at borders and potential disruption to medical supplies are also mentioned in the technical notices that have been produced. However, ministers insist that a ‘no-deal’ scenario is less likely than a negotiated settlement with the EU. Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, insists that reaching a deal is the "overriding priority" and "by far the most likely outcome". Mr Raab also dismissed wider claims, "Let me assure you that, contrary to one of the wilder claims, you will still be able to enjoy a BLT [bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich] after Brexit, and there are no plans to deploy the Army to maintain food supplies". Other key areas affect banking, medical supplies and the import of nuclear materials. UK citizens living in the EU could lose access to British bank accounts and pensions, the government will accept EU testing of medical supplies to ensure continuity of supply and special licences will be need for nuclear materials imported from the EU. Labour and the SNP have warned that a ‘no-deal’ scenario would be a disaster for the UK. The European Commission have already said that Brexit would lead to disruption "with a deal or without a deal". No specific arrangements are in place for EU citizens living in the UK or for UK citizens in the EU and the European Commission is warning of "significant delays" at borders. As the 29th of March 2019 approaches, the date Britain is due to leave the EU, more and more services are warning of potential difficulties in their areas of concern. The police, health services, Bank of England and the National Union of Farmers have all published warnings about potentially negative effects of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit. However, pro-Brexit campaigner Jacob Rees-Mogg maintains that the World Trade Organization rules "would suffice" and said the risks had been "absurdly overstated". Others warn that stark warnings are simply part of ‘project-fear’, trying to discredit the Brexit process.
Questions
What are the some of the potential results of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit? Does the government think a ‘no-deal’ Brexit is likely? If you were a British business, what would you do?
Vocabulary Find a word in the text that fits the definition, highlight the text below for solutions potential – possible disruption – changes that make it difficult to function technical notice – a government document giving advice scenario – situation overriding – most important outcome – result, final situation to dismiss – to disagree with and refuse to accept (an opinion, etc.) to deploy – to send to maintain – to keep saying to suffice – to be enough stark – strong
Grammar
Present forms. Which tenses are used in this sentence, why are they used? As the 29th of March 2019 approaches, the date Britain is due to leave the EU, more and more services are warning of potential difficulties in their areas of concern.
Highlight below for solution The sentence uses the present simple (is due to leave) and the present continuous (are warning). The simple describes the state of things at the moment, the continuous describes what people are engaged in doing at the moment. For more present form grammar notes, click here