Brexit news latest: Ministers keeping us in the dark over economic impact of leaving, say MPs

The Government was today accused of keeping MPs and the public in the dark about the economic harm its Brexit plans could cause.

Boris Johnson rejected Theresa May’s blueprint to keep close ties with the EU and opted for a looser free-trade agreement.

However, less than three weeks before the planned EU exit on October 31, the Treasury declined to answer questions on the long-term impact.

Government analysis published a year ago suggested a free-trade agreement could wipe 6.7 per cent off the size of the economy over 15 years, compared with what it would have been under the current arrangements, and a no deal more than 9 per cent.

Boris Johnson's government was today accused of keeping MPs and the public in the dark about the economic harm its Brexit plans could cause (Victoria Jones/PA)

The Evening Standard put eight questions to the Treasury. A Government spokesman responded: “Last year’s analysis does not model the Government’s proposed trading arrangement — a comprehensive and ambitious FTA — with the EU.”

Former Conservative Treasury minister Justine Greening said: “Where’s Britain’s long-term economic plan? Either they don’t have any numbers or they do but won’t share them. It’s unacceptable from any Government.”

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Chuka Umunna said: “Twenty days from the Brexit deadline and the Treasury cannot deny that a no-deal Brexit could reduce economic growth by around nine per cent.”