Sky News has learnt that the bosses of companies including construction giant Balfour Beatty, Tesco and Amazon told a trio of ministers – including the chancellor, Philip Hammond – in a hastily convened conference call – that protracted Brexit uncertainty was damaging Britain‘s ‎economy.

During the call, which lasted nearly an hour, Mr Hammond, the Brexit secretary and business secretary were repeatedly asked for reassurance about the likelihood of a „no-deal“ departure from the EU.