Soldiers on standby for a no-deal Brexit crisis

Soldiers could help deliver supplies of food and medicine if the UK crashes out of the EU without a Brexit deal under plans being considered by ministers. Troops would work alongside civilian authorities under established protocols for civil emergencies like extreme weather.

Amid growing concern about Brexit talks failing, the government will not now release around 70 technical papers setting out its plans for no-deal in stages over August.

The contingency plans will instead be published on a single day at the end of the month. Modelling for a no-deal Brexit is understood to include the possibility of supermarkets in Scotland running out of food within a matter of days.

The UK Chamber of Shipping yesterday said it would take three years to develop customs systems for a no-deal Brexit. At the weekend Ash Amirahmardi, the UK managing director of dairy co-operative Arla Foods, told the BBC that 16 per cent of UK dairy products are imported from Europe.

“If we have barriers at our ports then that is what is going to lead to increased prices and potentially supply issues,” he said.