The UK’s public spending watchdog has compared the economic damage of a disorderly Brexit to the three-day week imposed in 1974, warning of delays to imports and queues at borders.

In this period output fell by 3pc over three months, as efforts to conserve electricity amid fuel shortages - a result of coal mining strikes - took a significant toll on industrial production.

The OBR said: “A disorderly exit might well result in temporary constraints on the supply of some imported products and domestic goods that contain imported components.”

There could also be “bottlenecks” at borders, and attempts by households and businesses to stockpile ahead of time could “further aggravate” goods shortages.

It added that it was “next to impossible” to estimate the impact of a disorderly Brexit on the economy, however, the economic disruption of 1974’s three-day week was “worth noting”.

MP Nicky Morgan, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee told the The Daily Telegraph: "When the independent OBR equates leaving the EU with no deal to the 1970s three day week then any right thinking person must know they can't inflict such a situation on their fellow citizens.

"No deal would be a very bad deal," she added.