With less than three months until Britain is due to leave the EU, the government is launching a publicity drive to prepare the public for a possible no-deal Brexit.

The Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, said Whitehall departments and the health regulator would begin publishing guidance on how the public can get ready for potential issues that may arise from a disorderly break from Europe.

The public information campaign will also include radio broadcasts and social media posts.

Barclay said no-deal would become “far more likely” if MPs reject Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal in a vote in the Commons due the week beginning 14 January.

“The pace and intensity of the work we are doing reflects the potential scale of this disruption to people and businesses across the UK that a no-deal scenario could bring,” Barclay wrote in the Daily Express.

“The Home Office will next week be publicising guidance on new passport rules for people travelling to many European countries. These rules would mean some people have to renew their passport earlier than planned. Advice is already available online and next week the Home Office will further publicise how to renew a passport as easily as possible.

“The Department for Transport is sharing guidance on how we will ensure people can continue to travel to the EU in the event of no deal, and today the medicines regulator has updated guidance to ensure regulatory processes for medicines, medical devices and clinical trials are fit for purpose.”

The government has also been working to advise businesses on how best to prepare for no-deal.