Government recruits emergency workers to help tackle Brexit 'disruption'

As fears of no-deal Brexit grow, staff paid up to £50,000 will join Whitehall division that manages 'civil emergencies'

The government is ramping up preparations for a no-deal Brexit, with just weeks left for Theresa May to secure an agreement (Getty Images)

The government is seeking emergency workers to help the country cope with the "disruption" of Brexit.

"Resilience advisers" paid up to £50,000 are being appointed to a Whitehall division responsible for dealing with "civil emergencies".

They will be tasked with tackling any "disruption" caused by Brexit, whether the UK leaves the EU with or without a deal.

The emergency staff will work in 15 locations across the country, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

They will be paid £45,938, rising to £50,006 in London.

The roles will be in the Resilience and Emergency Division (RED) of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The unit works closely with emergency services to help local authorities "prepare for, respond to, and recover from civil emergencies of all types".

It would normally deal with issues such as flooding, rioting or a major fire, but is now also focusing on Brexit amid fears of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal.

The resilience advisers will be employed until June 2019, "with the possibility of extension or permanency".

MHCLG said the "exciting and challenging" jobs "would suit those who are keen to understand how government works". Successful applicants will be required to work to "short deadlines".

The workers are being recruited as the government ramps up preparations for a no-deal Brexit, with just weeks left for Theresa May to secure an agreement with Brussels.

The job advert said the advisers would help prepare for Britain's departure from the EU "both in the case of a no-deal or negotiated exit".

A MHCLG spokesman said: "It is in everyone's interests to secure a good deal for both sides and we think that is by far and away the highest probability, but we have a duty to plan for the alternative.

"We continue to work closely with local areas, and meet representatives regularly. Government is doing the sensible thing and taking precautions as we plan for all scenarios."