Government departments have been warned to prepare for handling the negative impacts of a no-deal Brexit

Ministers are being told to prepare for a rise in suicide in the event of a chaotic no-deal Brexit, according to a leaked document seen by The Times.

Officials say that in the event of Britain leaving the EU without a deal and on unfriendly terms, they must “create a strategy with other government departments — handling the negative impacts (eg homelessness, poverty and suicide).”

This outcome is likely to cause unemployment and welfare spending to rise to levels last seen after the 2008-09 crash. The unemployment benefit bill could rise by almost £12 billion over three years.

The warning comes in a 16-page planning document entitled “Economic Downturn” prepared for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on December 6. It outlines planning