PUBLISHED: 08:55 11 August 2019 | UPDATED: 08:55 11 August 2019
Archant
The chancellor is planning to mint millions of commemorative Brexit 50p coins in time for October 31st to show the government is serious about leaving.
Sajid Javid has asked officials whether it is possible to produce the coins in time for the date the UK is next expected to leave the European Union, the Telegraph reports.
Officials in the Treasury said it was a statement of intent that the Treasury is dedicated to leaving the EU.
The previous chancellor Philip Hammond had planned in the budget to mint a commemorative 50p for March 29th, but the small run had to be melted down after the UK requested an extension from the EU.
You may also want to watch:
MORE: They are taking the P with Brexit 50p, writes James Ball
MORE: ‘Top notch trolling by the Royal Mail’ – Twitter compares Dad’s Army stamps to Brexit
A source at the time said: “They have minted prototypes – but have not mass produced them yet. They have not dated them yet, given there is no exact date of departure or year.”
The government said at the time that it did not cost the taxpayer.
The new coins would include the message “peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations” – but would include the new departure date.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important – both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.