The SNP risks “splitting” the UK’s economy and causing serious damage to the country’s ability to strike trade deals by demanding a series of powers currently held by Brussels, Theresa May’s de facto deputy has warned.

Writing in The Telegraph ahead of a major speech on Monday, David Lidington, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, says an attempt by Nicola Sturgeon’s government to seize control of key trade powers would result in a “disjointed” economy and leave Britain “struggling to make our way in a new world outside the EU”.

In a stark warning to both the Scottish and Welsh governments, Mr Lidington suggests that Holyrood and Cardiff risk damaging the Westminster Government’s “ability to act in the national interest” and forge new trade agreements, by opening the door to “different sets of rules” in each part of the UK.

Ministers fear that any disparity in areas such as food safety and chemicals standards, including items such as bleach and paint, could tie their hands when they attempt to strike trade deals on behalf of the entire country.

Mr Lidington also warns that any discrepancies between the UK’s four nations would lead to “unnecessary disruption” for domestic trade.