EU steps up planning for no-deal Brexit

EU leaders agreed Thursday to step up preparations for Britain crashing out of the bloc next March without a deal, with the European Commission to publish a plan next week.

At a summit in Brussels, the leaders of the 27 EU member states called for work on "contingency preparedness" -- Brussels jargon for no-deal planning -- to be intensified.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he would publish the no-deal planning details on December 19, urging Britain to clarify what it wants from the EU.

"Because we are in a debate that is sometimes nebulous and imprecise, I would like some clarifications," Juncker said after summit talks.

"As we do not know what the collective reactions will be -- of the 27 or of the UK -- the commission will publish on December 19 all the information that is generally useful for the preparation of no deal."