More than 3,000 troops are being "held at readiness" in case there is a disastrous no-deal Brexit, the government said today.

The Armed Forces personnel are split between fully-employed service people and reserves, the Defence Secretary said.

Reports suggest 10% will be reservists and they will be held in case needed for logistics.

Gavin Williamson told MPs a request has not formally been received yet but "we are putting contingency plans in place".

It came minutes after the Cabinet agreed to activate all 106 No Deal Brexit ‘technical notices’ issued by the UK government.

Another £2billion is being committed to contingency plans as the clock ticks down to March 29 with no deal agreed.

Government documents warn No Deal could prompt shortages of fuel, food, medicine and water.

And the 106 technical notices state it could ground flights, bring in extra airport checks and slap a nine-month export wait on farmers.

Travellers could be forced to renew their passports if they are less than six months from expiry, and pet owners would have to apply months in advance to go on holiday.

Asked specifically about Armed Forces involvement in a No Deal Brexit, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "We’ve as yet not had any formal request from any government department.

"But what we are doing is putting contingency plans in place.

"And what we will do is have 3,500 service personnel held at readiness, including regulars and reserves, in order to support any government department on any contingencies they may need."

A Downing Street spokesman denied the military would be at the Port of Dover if there is no deal.

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