The UK’s five leading business groups have united to call on politicians not to let the UK leave the EU with no deal.

It comes as the government admits planning for a 'no deal' Brexit has been stepped up as Theresa May's withdrawal agreement looks unlikely to pass through the Commons with opposition on all sides of the House.

But business chiefs - who have long said uncertainty is undermining their efforts - have now united to demand MPs prevent a disorderly exit from the EU on March 29.

In a statement by the leaders of the Federation of Small Businesses, British Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry, Institute of Directors and EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, it says: "Businesses have been watching in horror as politicians have focused on factional disputes rather than practical steps that business needs to move forward.

"The lack of progress in Westminster means the risk of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit is rising. Businesses of all sizes are reaching the point of no return, with many now putting in place contingency plans that are a significant drain of time and money. Firms are pausing or diverting investment that should be boosting productivity, innovation, jobs and pay, into stockpiling goods or materials, diverting cross border trade and moving offices, factories and therefore jobs and tax revenues out of the UK.

"While many companies are actively preparing for a ‘no deal’ scenario, there are also hundreds of thousands who have yet to start – and cannot be expected to be ready in such a short space of time.

“All this activity stems from the growing risk of leaving the EU on March 29 without a deal.

"With just 100 days to go, the suggestion that ‘no-deal’ can be ‘managed’ is not a credible proposition.

"Businesses would face massive new customs costs and tariffs. Disruption at ports could destroy carefully built supply chains.

"From broadcasters to insurance brokers, to our financial services - the UK’s world-leading services sector will be needlessly disadvantaged, and many professional qualifications will be unrecognised across the EU.

"UK and EU nationals working abroad will be left in deep uncertainty about their future. As a result of the lack of progress, the government is understandably now in a place where it must step up no-deal planning, but it is clear there is simply not enough time to prevent severe dislocation and disruption in just 100 days.

“This is not where we should be.

"Nobody wants to prolong the uncertainty, but everyone must remember that businesses and communities need time to adapt to future changes"

“The responsibility to find a way forward now rests directly with 650 MPs in Parliament.

"Nobody wants to prolong the uncertainty, but everyone must remember that businesses and communities need time to adapt to future changes.

"As the UK’s leading business groups, we are asking MPs from all parties to return to their constituencies over Christmas and talk to their local business communities. We hope that they will listen and remember that when they return to Parliament, the future course of our economy will be in their hands.”