Brexit: Theresa May tells Britain not to worry despite admitting plans to stockpile food, blood and medicine

Comes as The Independent launches a petition to back its Final Say Brexit referendum campaign attracting thousands of signatures

Theresa May has urged voters not to worry about Brexit, despite her government setting out plans to stockpile food, blood and medicine in case it goes badly.

She said people should take “reassurance and comfort” from news of the plans, to be implemented if the UK crashes out of the EU without an agreement in March next year.

The scenario is looking increasingly likely given deep divisions in the Conservatives over Ms May’s approach, her wafer thin commons majority and the EU’s on-going resistance to what the prime minister is proposing.

It comes as The Independent launched a campaign to give the British people a Final Say in a referendum on whatever is proposed at the end of Brexit negotiations, with thousands flocking to sign a petition supporting the cause.

Ireland’s deputy prime minister accused the PM of “bravado” in talking up the dangers of a no-deal Brexit, while Tory insiders claim the PM is doing so to warn her rebellious MPs of the consequence of failing to back her unpopular Brexit plans.

Ms May confirmed in a TV interview that plans for stocking up on essential goods are underway, in case imports from the EU are cut off by clogged ports or regulatory disputes.

But, asked if it was “alarming” for people, the prime minister told Channel 5: “Far from being worried about preparations that we are making, I would say that people should take reassurance and comfort from the fact that the government is saying we are in a negotiation, we are working for a good deal.

“I believe we can get a good deal, but, it’s right that we say – because we don’t know what the outcome is going to be – let’s prepare for every eventuality.”

She added: “This is not just about stockpiling. That concept, what it is, is about making sure that we will be able to continue to do the things that are necessary once we have left the European Union, if we leave without a deal.”

It came after health secretary Matt Hancock admitted he had already met with industry leaders to discuss building up NHS reserves of vaccinations, medical devices, clinical consumables and blood products if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal.

Dominic Raab, the new Brexit secretary, also recently confirmed preparations were being made to stockpile food, as ministers ramp up planning in case the negotiations fail.

Simon Coveney, Dublin’s deputy prime minister, urged Britain to delay Brexit if the talks remain deadlocked – offering to press for an extension to the Article 50 deadline.

Asked about talk of a no-deal Brexit in the UK, he said: “I have heard a lot of comment on this issue in recent weeks and, to be honest with you, I think some of it is bravado.

“The truth is that I don’t believe Britain can afford to have no-deal on Brexit. I don’t believe that Ireland and the EU want that either.”

The government will issue a series of “technical notices” in the coming months, designed to prepare the public and businesses for the worst-case scenario of leaving without a deal.

The International Monetary Fund has warned the overall UK economy would suffer far more than the EU’s – losing 4 per cent of national output, compared with 1.5 per cent across the Channel.

The Independent launched a campaign for the British people to have a Final Say on the Brexit deal agreed with Brussels on Tuesday, with Dominic Grieve, Labour MP Chuka Umunna and Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran making the case.

On Wednesday a petition was launched to back the campaign with thousands flocking to sign in within hours.

Former Downing Street press secretary Alastair Campbell and democracy campaigner Gina Miller also joined the fray.