Public urged not to panic buying in the event of no deal Brexit

Britons were asked not to accumulate food if there was no deal over Brexit.

The British Retail Consortium said that retailers are increasing stock levels to "ensure supply levels of vital items," and that any implications for the food chain would likely involve fresh produce, such as fruit and vegetables, which cannot be stored for long.

Failure to reach an agreement could see public sector food tariffs costing more than £3 billion and price rises after 1 January 2021, the trading body said.

Chief executive Helen Dickinson explained: 'Retailers would have no choice but to pass on some of these additional costs to their customers, who would see higher prices filter through during 2021.

Group chairman Helen Dickinson warned the public would pay the price if the non-zero tariff regime was not in place.

Earlier Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, the chief executive of the British Chambers of Commerce, told Sky News that Britain needed to get a deal 'as soon as possible', adding: 'We need to understand how we are going to trade and what the rules are.