Local authorities should be given more guidance on Brexit, particularly around what a no-deal Brexit could mean, Southwark Council's leader says.

Speaking about the real-life effects of Brexit on Southwark’s population, Cllr Peter John, who is also the head of London Councils, said the council was trying to prepare for all possibilities.

“We have seen such a growth in business, in employment and general building in the borough in the last decade,” he said.

“I think we are conscious that this is potentially threatened by Brexit.

“There could be a breakdown in delivery of food and services and major disruption to people’s travel arrangements and we do have to think about – I am not saying it will happen – but you have got to think about the prospect of civil unrest,” he said.

“I do think we have to get our heads around it as an arm of government and think about it seriously,” he said.

He said a wider conversation between the Government and local authorities was needed.

“We have not been part of any conversation. The Mayor of London was obviously having meetings with David Davis when he was Brexit secretary, but there just doesn’t seem to be a level of thinking beyond the [central Government] cabinet of the political and societal impacts of this – if we do head towards a no-deal Brexit.

“Even with something [a Brexit deal] which is more organised – it could be significant,” he said.

He said the council had held its first Brexit panel with members of the business community, with the second panel on the health implications on health taking place next month.