A no-deal Brexit could see small businesses “struggle” to survive, experts have warned.

These comments came yesterday from Fiona Twycross – the chairman of the London Resilience Forum – during a meeting of the London Assembly EU exit working group

The London Resilience Forum was set up last year by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to look at the impact a no-deal Brexit could have.

Speaking about the potential impact of Brexit on business in the capital Ms Twycross said “big businesses” probably have “contingency plans” in place in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

But she added: “From what we have seen small businesses are not about to do the same. Many small businesses simply don’t have the resources available to keep stocks.

“Small businesses could be vulnerable, and many could struggle with even a few days disruption. If there is a no-deal we could see small businesses struggle to survive.

“They can’t put resources in place like big businesses.”

Ms Twycross said she spoke to one small food business who said it would be “impossible” for them to plan for all the Brexit “eventualities” and they simply could not stock lots of food.

Speaking to the Assembly about Brexit Ms Twycross said: “It involves large amounts of secrecy and politicians ‘jocking’ around for senior positions which is hampering civil servants doing their job.

“Without doubt it is the most complicated constitutional issue in our lifetime.”

It was also revealed by Joe Owen, the associate director at the Institute for Government – an independent think-thank – that there are currently about 14,500 Government officials working on Brexit.

Mr Owen, who is managing research into Brexit for the think-thank, said it is likely that number is “going to increase”.

Tweeting about his comments, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, Caroline Pidgeon, said it is a “waste of public money, time and energy”.

The UK was originally supposed to leave the EU on March 29, but this date was extended following a vote by parliament.

Following a request by Prime Minister Theresa May, the European Council agreed to extend the UK’s departure day until May 22, 2019.

But if a withdrawal agreement is not approved by March 29 the deadline to leave the EU will be April 12 – meaning the UK could still leave the EU without a deal.