For Remainers, deja vu has recently become the overwhelming feeling with regards to Brexit, alongside the usual anger and exasperation.

Two years ago, in the weeks that followed the vote, surveys told us UK firms had little idea what leaving the EU would all mean for their business. Twelve months on little had changed, except firms were growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of information coming from Theresa May’s Government about how Brexit would impact their business.

Few would have predicted that another whole year would pass and still industry would be none the wiser.

The latest survey of Scottish businesses makes for grim reading, with three-quarters saying they do not have enough information to plan for Brexit. Around 350 firms were polled by the respected Fraser of Allander Institute, with only a handful reporting any positive prospects for their business.

Investment is already starting to suffer, with a 41 per cent of firms reporting a negative effect and a third saying recruitment is also in decline. Worryingly, only one in five could see new opportunities for their business in markets outside the EU. The biggest factor affecting preparations, they said, was uncertainty on the UK Government’s part, which was cited by 60 per cent of respondents.

Such findings are not unique to Scotland, of course, with firms up and down the UK reporting high rates of uncertainty and concern over Brexit. The fact that Scotland’s economy remains particularly slow to recover from the banking crisis of 2008 is particularly worrying, however, and being starved of investment could prove the last straw for many.

With all this in mind, it is truly astonishing that so many Government ministers continue to talk-up the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, blaming Brussels “intransigence” rather than their own cavalier, arrogant approach to current negotiations.

Keen Brexiter and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox – who hails from East Kilbride and should know more than most about the fragile Scottish economy – now puts the odds of a no-deal Brexit at 60-40.

Regardless of what Dr Fox and his supporters may say, such an outcome would be utterly disastrous for the entire UK economy. And although many of our European partners would also lose out in a no-deal Brexit, it’s hard to see why the 27 remaining members of the EU would capitulate and allow the UK to cherry pick trade terms.

The Tories continue to play a selfish and dangerous game at the expense of the country. No accusations of scaremongering will change this, which is why pragmatic and sensible heads are needed now more than ever. How infuriating that they appear in shorter supply than ever in Mrs May’s embattled Government.