No-deal Brexit 'would not threaten UK' - Lidington
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The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March of next year
Scotland will continue to benefit from being part of the UK even if there is a "no-deal Brexit", the prime minister's deputy has insisted.
Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington stressed that the UK remained confident of negotiating a deal with the EU before it leaves on 29 March next year.
But he said the "strength of the United Kingdom" would continue regardless.
He was speaking as Scottish Brexit Secretary Mike Russell claimed a no-deal Brexit would be a "nightmare".
The UK government has published the first 25 of its 70 "technical notices" which include advice for businesses, citizens and public bodies on what to do if the UK leaves the EU without agreement on how its future relationship with the bloc will work.
The papers include guidance for businesses who could face extra paperwork at borders and contingency plans to avoid medicine shortages, as well as a warning that Britons visiting the EU could also face extra credit card charges.
Fundamental differences remain between UK and EU negotiators as they enter the crucial phase of Brexit talks, and recent weeks have seen an increasing focus on the possibility of no deal being reached.
UK ministers say securing a deal remains their top priority and the most possible outcome, but that "short-term disruption" is possible if no agreement is reached.
Speaking in Edinburgh, Mr Lidington said the publication of the technical notices should not be taken as a sign that the UK government now expects a no-deal outcome, and dismissed suggestions that such a scenario would make the possibility of Scottish independence more likely.
Mr Lidington insists that the government is on course to secure a deal over the Brexit terms
He said the Scottish government had been consulted over the technical notices, with the text of some being changed as a result.
Mr Lidington said the advantages to Scotland of staying in the United Kingdom were "profound" whatever the outcome of the Brexit talks.
And he said "fragmenting the UK single market" would mean "higher prices in the shops in Scotland and fewer jobs in Scotland because of the extra costs of business".
But he emphasised: "The UK government is absolutely determined of getting a good deal, and we're confident that we are.
"We're 80% of the way now towards having negotiated the text of the withdrawal agreement, so we made really good progress and the signs are encouraging."
The Scottish government has called for the UK to rule out the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal, with Brexit secretary Mr Russell stating that such an outcome would be "deeply damaging and disruptive" to Scotland, the UK and EU.
Responding to the publication of the technical notices, Mr Russell said they illustrated how Scotland was facing a "no-deal Brexit nightmare".
And he said they "lay bare the risks facing Scottish businesses, the economy and public services".
Mike Russell has urged the UK government to rule out the possibility of the country leaving the EU without a deal being agreed
Mr Russell added: "From the bureaucratic burden that will be imposed on EU imports and exports to the need to strike a wide range of 'no-deal' deals before the end of March, these notices only add to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
"People want to know if their medication will still be available and farmers and fishermen want to know if they will still be able to sell their products.
"While a responsible government must prepare for all exit possibilities, the UK government should rule out a disastrous 'no deal' and focus instead on securing the best outcome for us all - which, short of staying in the EU, is remaining part of the single market and customs union."
'Lack of clarity'
Mr Russell has previously said that the Scottish government is "preparing for all exit possibilities" but was being "constrained by the lack of clarity on the direction of negotiations with the EU and by uncertainty about the possible outcome of that".
Scotland's chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said earlier this week that the Scottish NHS was working with colleagues in England to ensure there were sufficient medical supplies, including crucial drugs such as insulin, in the event of a no deal Brexit.
Labour has joined the SNP in claiming a no-deal outcome would be "catastrophic" and a "complete failure by the government to negotiate for Britain".
The party's Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer told Radio 4's Today programme the government was "now moving into panic mode" and its latest advice would not reassure anyone.