All UK citizens will be sent information about how to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, as the government dramatically ramps up its contingency planning.

Downing Street revealed the "public communications" will be released alongside a "general advertising campaign", with 101 days until the expected divorce date.

Other measures revealed include:

3,500 troops being "held at readiness" to help with any "contingencies"

Information packs being sent to business and traders about border changes

£2bn being allocated for Brexit preparations for all scenarios

Space being set aside on ships to ensure medical supplies continue as normal

Security and law enforcement being treated as a "priority issue"

COBRA meetings being held at required intervals

Image: What do the previous leaders of the UK think about Brexit?

The decisions were made at a crunch cabinet meeting this afternoon, as ministers agreed to "fully" implement planning for a no-deal divorce on 29 March 2019.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay emerged after the meeting to declare the government's focus was on getting a deal negotiated with Brussels through parliament.


But he said a "responsible government" had to prepare for leaving the EU with no agreement and that had become its "operational priority".

Mr Barclay also blasted the idea of a "managed no deal" - floated by senior MPs like International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt - saying it was "not feasible".

Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay says preparing for a 'no deal' #Brexit is now an "operational priority" - but that securing a deal remains the government's overall aim.



May's cabinet ramps up 'no deal' preparations: https://t.co/dkENzh9A8Z pic.twitter.com/5pPKQ6srii — Sky News (@SkyNews) December 18, 2018

Sky sources said discord broke out at the two-hour meeting when Justice Secretary David Gauke spoke up to call the idea of a "managed" no-deal "a unicorn that needs to be slaughtered".

They added he argued for the option to be able to block a no-deal Brexit nearer the deadline.

A cabinet source also said Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd spoke up to warn: "Just because you've put a seatbelt on, it doesn't mean you should crash the car."

Image: A cabinet source said Amber Rudd deployed a car analogy

Mrs May's spokesman said there were no rows, insisting it was the best cabinet meeting in a while.

He added all UK citizens will be sent information in the next few weeks about how to prepare for a no-deal Brexit - ruling out that the information will be sent on Christmas Day.

Later on Tuesday, the Treasury revealed how more than £2bn will be allocated across 25 Whitehall departments and other bodies for Brexit preparations for all scenarios.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said: "The PM's deal is the only way to deliver on the referendum while protecting jobs, businesses and prosperity.

"I've worked with departments so they have the resources to prepare as we leave the EU, including our borders, trade policies and support for businesses.

"But a responsible government prepares for all contingencies and that is why we're stepping up no deal planning.

"The Treasury has provided more than £4.2bn for Brexit preparations since 2016. We are now allocating over £2bn from that fund to continue and step up this work in 2019-20 as we leave the EU."

Image: Planning for a no-deal Brexit has become an 'operational priority'

The biggest sums of cash have been handed to the Home Office (£480m), HMRC (£375m), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (£190m) and Department for International Trade (£128m).

Among other preparations, the money will be spent on 3,000 new HMRC staff, hundreds of new border officers and new border technology, and exploring a UK alternative to the EU's Galileo satellite navigation system.

A total of 106 technical notices and 320 "ongoing no-deal work streams" have so far been published on how the country should get ready for leaving without an agreement.

And a petition calling for the UK to leave the EU without a deal has reached 220,000 signatures - at one point garnering over 1,500 an hour.

Rees-Mogg: You win some, you lose some

Mrs May was earlier given a boost of support by backbench Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, who vowed to "move on" after losing a bid to unseat her.

Mr Rees-Mogg, who was one of 117 Tory MPs to vote against the PM in a confidence vote, said he respected the result and was now backing her.

"I lost the vote last week - and if you lose, that is ultimately conclusive," he told Sky News.

"Events move on, they have moved on and I have therefore moved with them."

Labour is still threatening to call a vote of no-confidence in the government, which could force a general election if successful.

Downing Street sources said a no-confidence motion in the PM would not be granted parliamentary time for a debate this year.

'Angry' Corbyn demands vote on May's Brexit deal

The prime minister looks set to avoid any more major showdowns in parliament, with MPs breaking up for the Christmas holidays on Thursday.

Despite Labour not being able to debate its no-confidence motion in the prime minister, it will still push for one in the government in the new year.

Earlier, shadow housing secretary John Healey told Sky News it was a question of "when - not if" the push would come.

Jenny Chapman, Labour's shadow Brexit minister, said the no-deal planning move was "testament to the prime minister's failure in these negotiations".

"A no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for jobs, the economy and the border in Northern Ireland. It is simply not a viable option," she said.