THE new Communities Secretary’s funding pledge to help councils step up Brexit preparations has been branded an “insult”.

Robert Jenrick committed £20million to be shared between all 353 English councils while calling for them to appoint a Brexit lead to ensure they are ready to leave by the Halloween deadline.

But, despite the sum being billed as “new” on Saturday, the department conceded that the full amount had already been proposed in previous announcements.

Mr Jenrick, who was appointed by Boris Johnson in his Cabinet reshuffle, said it was right to “intensify preparations” so councils can be prepared to leave by October 31 “whatever the circumstances”.

Labour MP Jess Phillips criticised the Government for spending £138 million on the “no-deal propaganda” of a public information campaign and a fraction on councils’ preparations for the “calamity”.

“The idea that £20 million across the 353 main councils of England is enough to prepare is an insult to our intelligence.”