UK and EU's chief Brexit negotiators to hold face-to-face talks

The UK and EU's chief Brexit negotiators, Dominic Raab and Michel Barnier, are to hold face-to-face talks in Brussels today.

Their meeting comes at the end of the current round of talks, and as both sides step up plans to cope with a possible collapse in negotiations leading to a hard Brexit.

The European Commission has told member states and firms operating in the EU to step up their own preparations for a "cliff edge" Brexit.
And Theresa May has said the British public should take "reassurance and comfort" from Government preparations for a no-deal Brexit, after it emerged plans were being developed to stockpile food and medicines.

In a TV interview on Wednesday, the Prime Minister did not deny stockpiling is happening, but said the Government is being "responsible and sensible" while still trying to get a good deal with the European Union.

Mrs May said: "Far from being worried about preparations that we are making, I would say that people should take reassurance and comfort from the fact that the Government is saying we are in a negotiation, we are working for a good deal - I believe we can get a good deal - but... because we don't know what the outcome is going to be... let's prepare for every eventuality."

On Tuesday, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs he had asked officials to "work up options for stockpiling" by the pharmaceutical industry, and Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said the Government would also take steps to ensure an "adequate food supply".

Source: RTE