Sajid Javid rejects call to release impact assessment of Boris Johnson's new Brexit deal
2 min read
Sajid Javid has rejected calls by MPs to publish an economic impact assessment of Boris Johnson’s new Brexit deal before they vote on it.
A cross-party group said it would be "incomprehensibly irresponsible" not to provide the information ahead of Saturday’s Commons showdown.
Labour MP Hilary Benn has also written to Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay calling for the publication of the Government's assessment of how the new deal will affect the economy.
The Brexit Committee chairman said: "I trust that the Government will be publishing an impact assessment of this revised deal, and that it will be available to Members of the House in time to inform the debate and vote on Saturday.
"Given the significance in particular of the revised political declaration and the Government’s previous assessment of the adverse economic impact of a free trade agreement with the EU, I think it is really important that colleagues have the fullest assessment available to them in order to inform their decision."
But speaking in Washington the Chancellor said: ”I see no need for a new impact assessment.”
He said that one was produced in November last year modelling a number of scenarios which was “still out there” and “anyone can look it up”.
According to the FT, Mr Javid insisted Boris Johnson’s revised proposals would be “good for the economy”, but added that even if there were costs it was “good for the fabric of our democracy” in getting Brexit agreed.
It comes after a cross-party group, including former Tory Cabinet minister David Gauke, wrote urging the Treasury to publish a new assessment before they are asked to vote on the deal.
They said there are “serious concerns about the lack of time to allow effective scrutiny” for the new agreement the Prime Minister struck with the EU on Thursday.
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