Government to start 'full-scale' planning for a no-deal Brexit - but only after MPs have been on holiday

Britain is about to trigger preparations for a no-deal Brexit as the chances of the UK crashing out of the European Union increase.

Theresa May will trigger full-scale parliamentary preparations in less than three weeks to prepare for a no-agreement Brexit.

Ministers have told civil servants to accelerate plans for legislation to try and protect businesses and citizens in the event of a no agreement deal with Brussels.

Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, told cabinet colleagues that Whitehall departments needed to step up their efforts and move ‘from warning businesses to telling them to act’.

Whitehall sources said that preparations would begin in earnest after November 12 – after MPs return from a short break at the beginning of the month.

At least four new bills will have to clear parliament by March 29, 2019, the day of Brexit.

These include legislation to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in Britain and reasserting territorial control over fishing waters.

There have been warnings that parts of Britain could grind to a halt in the event of a no-deal, and vital medicines could be in shortage.

One source told the Guardian that there was ‘an awful lot to discuss’ and there has been criticism of the secretive nature of Whitehall in giving information about the implications of a no-deal to businesses.

Britain’s discussions with the EU have hit an impasse, especially over what to do with the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic if the UK remains within the Customs Union.

On Thursday Labour’s Keir Starmer told Raab during parliamentary questions that the government had run out of time to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.

The Treasury has announced £8 million in funding to help customs brokers train new employees to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.

In addition, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, said she was ‘increasingly concerned’ about a no deal.