Germany is also in close contact with Britain with a view to avoiding disruption to air transport links in the case of a hard Brexit.

A number of Conservative MPs have spoke out in favour of leaving the EU without a deal as they maintain opposition to Mrs May’s deal.

Ross Thomson, MP for Aberdeen South, said: “Leaving the EU on WTO terms means we have our own trade policy, save billions of our own money, take back control of our own law making, regain control over our own borders and take back control of our own fishing waters.

“That’s Brexit. That’s closer to what people voted for.”

The EU Commission has already announced a series of plans to minimise disruption and has also urged member states to step up their own preparations.

In December, Brussels a number of temporary measures, in areas such as finance and transport.

“These measures will not – and cannot – mitigate the overall impact of a ‘no-deal’ scenario,” the Commission said in a statement.