Institutes have been urged to update their disaster recovery plans and “prepare for any eventuality”

Universities and colleges may have to be closed if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal, the body which gives them their funding has warned.

Higher and further education providers have been urged to update their disaster recovery plans and “prepare for any eventuality”, including civil unrest and food shortages, in new guidance issued by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which distributes Scottish government education grants.

Movement of people, business continuity, funding, the availability and price of equipment, data sharing, EU projects, access to facilities, recognition of professional qualifications, exchange rates, energy costs and fraud security could all be disrupted by leaving without a deal, the SFC warned.

Universities have been told to prioritise courses in medicine, nursing, care, teaching and any activity