NICOLA Sturgeon has urged the Prime Minister to "face up to reality", saying jobs and living standards are "on the line".
It comes as Theresa May’s prepares to call upon leaders from the devolved administrations to "pull together" to back her Brexit agreement.
Yesterday the UK Government’s decision to ramp up preparations for leaving the EU without a deal, while Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that thousands of troops will be put on stand-by to help with potential disruption.
READ MORE: Scottish and UK Governments prepare for no-deal ‘consequences'
"With 100 days to go before the UK is due to leave the EU, the UK Government must stop threatening the disaster of no deal, and start putting people's jobs and living standards first," said Sturgeon.
Last night the SNP, the Greens, the LibDems and Plaid Cymru tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government.
It came a day after Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister.
Sturgeon later tweeted: “This motion, if passed, gets rid of this incompetent Tory government. If it doesn’t pass, Labour’s excuse for not making a decision on a #PeoplesVote is removed. Doing nothing and simply allowing the clock to be run down, by either the Tories or Labour, is not acceptable.”
The Prime Minister is set to call on the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and representatives of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to listen to businesses and get behind her Withdrawal Agreement in a Downing Street meeting.
Around £2 billion has already been allocated for spending by Whitehall departments for Brexit preparations, and Chancellor Philip Hammond announced yesterday how a further £2bn will be shared out in 2019/20 – prioritising borders, trade and security.
Twenty-five government departments will receive additional money, with the Home Office set to receive almost one quarter of the sum – £480 million – to increase Border Force capability with "hundreds of new officers", and to help it prepare the EU Settlement Scheme.
READ MORE: Ian Blackford condemns Tory Nicholas Soames who told him to ‘go back to Skye’
Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab suggested businesses be given a tax break to help them weather a no-deal Brexit, using the £39 billion divorce bill the UK "would have paid the EU".
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Raab said: "The Treasury must prepare a Brexit budget to identify businesses - including 'just in time' manufacturers - most at risk from a departure on WTO terms.
"We should cut business taxes to boost them as they transition, and offset the cost from the £39bn the UK would have paid the EU."
It came as three Tory MPs – Nick Boles, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston – warned they would resign the whip if a no-deal Brexit ever became official Government policy.
But Downing Street insisted the Government was simply taking "sensible" steps to prepare for all eventualities, while stressing that delivering a Brexit under the terms of Mrs May's deal remains its "top priority".
A 100-page information pack telling businesses of possible changes to the way they trade with EU states will go live online on Friday – with 80,000 emails going out to firms thought likely to be most affected.
And advice to private individuals will be issued over the coming weeks through adverts, websites and direct communications. Areas expected to be covered include bank card payments in the EU and travelling to the continent with pets.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "A no-deal Brexit would be a catastrophic failure on behalf of the UK Government.
"However, it is becoming clear the chaotic shambles around the Prime Minister's deal on the table is moving us towards a position that will cause significant disruption, risking jobs and people's livelihoods."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel