THE SNP and Labour are joining forces with backbench Tories and MPs from other parties to prevent the UK crashing out of the European Union without a trade deal, it has emerged.

The dramatic development surfaced when John McDonnell, Labour’s shadow chancellor, said he would not “countenance” such an eventuality, which experts have warned would be disastrous in terms of jobs and living standards for people in the UK.

Last night Stephen Gethins, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman, indicated his support for cross-party working to block a no-deal situation.

“It is quite clear the Tories have no idea what they are doing and are threatening to take us over the cliff edge of a no-deal Brexit with devastating consequences for everyone,” he said.

“That means – given this is a parliament of minorities – it is for MPs from across the political spectrum to put aside differences to work together and do all we can to prevent a disastrous extreme Brexit.

“MPs and the devolved administrations must have as much say as possible, to help stop the disaster of a no-deal scenario.”

Gethins renewed calls for UK Government analysis of the impact of Brexit – which is said to show Scotland would be among the parts of the UK hardest hit – to be published.

The analysis, carried out by the Department of Exiting the EU (DEXEU), reportedly found that Scotland and the north-east of England would suffer the worst economic consequences of leaving the EU.

A former senior aide at DEXEU revealed the existence of the analysis – and its deeply worrying conclusions for Scotland.

“The secret report on the impact of Brexit in Scotland simply cannot be kept secret – it must be published,” he said. “It is unacceptable that somewhere in Whitehall there is a paper that shows just how bad leaving Europe will be for Scotland – but it is to be kept secret from the public.”

He added: “The people of Scotland voted against Brexit and the UK Government now appears to have been told that Scotland is to be hit hardest by its effects– but will not publish the analysis.

“That position is unsustainable – the Tories can try building a wall of secrecy, but sooner or later they will have to publish this paper.’’

Interviewed on the BBC’s Marr show yesterday, the shadow chancellor said he believed Theresa May lacked a majority in the House of Commons for a “no deal” outcome and he expected moves to guarantee in law a “meaningful vote” on the result of the ongoing Brexit talks.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill is absent from the Commons schedule for the week ahead, with the government saying it wants to closely evaluate some 300 amendments and more than 50 new clauses proposed.

When told Labour could not stop a no-deal scenario, McDonnell replied: “Parliament can. They haven’t got a majority to get through a no-deal situation.

“If we amend the legislation for Parliament to have a meaningful vote, it’ll force the government to negotiate – come to their senses, negotiate properly.”

Asked if this included talks with Tory MPs, McDonnell replied: “There are discussions going right the way across the House.”

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, who also appeared on the Marr show, said McDonnell was “talking a lot of complete nonsense” when he suggested there was enough support in the Commons to stop the government taking the no-deal route.

Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the divorce bill should be kept “as low as possible” but said Labour would consider making payments to the EU after Brexit to gain access to the customs union.

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What ‘no deal’ would mean for UK jobs, trade and living standards

THE UK Government has been again underlining the prospect of a “no deal” Brexit as talks with EU leaders stall.

But economists, business leaders and others have warned such a scenario would amount to the worst of all possible deals as it would mean high trade tariffs between the UK and EU, bringing with them the likelihood of considerable job losses as firms move out.

There is also the prospect of living standards plummeting, with food prices rising due to firms passing on higher import and export charges to the consumer.

There is concern too that even flights between the UK and EU countries could be hit, as new aviation rules would need to be negotiated. Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has warned that without a deal at least six months before the March 2019 deadline, there would be chaos at British airports.