George Eustice insisted that Britain was ready for no deal

Food prices would rise, with beef and pork hit hardest, should Britain fail to reach a trade deal with the European Union, a cabinet minister admitted yesterday

The prospects for the transition period ending on 31 December without a trade agreement increase

George Eustice , the secretary of environment, food and rural affairs, insisted that the increases would be "modest" but admitted that travelling to EU countries would become more complicated and that Britons with less than six months' passport validity would face denial of entry.

He acknowledged that free healthcare could not be guaranteed for UK visitors to EU countries next month without a trade deal and that drivers would have to provide proof of insurance.