ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

EU citizens may be allowed to come to the UK after Brexit if they have a job, a Cabinet minister suggested today.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said freedom of movement would end when the UK quits the European Union next March.

However, he told LBC radio: “I think the public would differentiate between people who come to the UK with a job, who will be contributing to the economy, and those, who under free movement, were able to come to the UK and use our public services without ever having contributed to them.”

Asked by presenter Nick Ferrari if he thought Theresa May’s net immigration target of 100,000 a year was “right”, Mr Fox responded: “That’s the government’s target ... we will be reviewing what we do post-Brexit.

Pressed on the target, he added: “Naturally, as a member of the Cabinet I support the Government’s policy, but we do need to look in the future at how we match our employment opportunities with our migration policy.”

Brexiteers fear the Government will capitulate to Brussels over freedom of movement in a bid to get a good trade deal. However, ministers are seeking to avoid damaging the economy with a hardline immigration system, which could lead to a shortage of workers.

A Government source stressed: “We are not going to design a system that is harmful to our economy.”

With NHS chiefs issuing warnings on the threat to services from “no deal”, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted he was “confident we can strike a deal good for the UK and our EU partners”. He was heading to Brussels for talks with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “In their hearts they want to give Britain a good deal as they know how important we have been for the security and prosperity of Europe. But, in their heads they’re worried if they give us a good deal, other countries will follow suit.”

Mr Fox said he wanted Britain to leapfrog France and Italy in exports, and see the UK move from fifth in the G7 group of wealthy nations to second.

Key to achieving this will be encouraging thousands of small and medium-sized firms to sell their goods and services overseas.

Mr Fox urged businesses: “Do not be afraid to sell Britain’s goods and services abroad. If you are willing to take that leap of faith, we will be there with you every step of the way.”

The Government’s Export Strategy aims to increase Britain’s export figure to 35 per cent of GDP.

Its four strands are:

Up to £50 billion of export finance and insurance support.

Boosting links between UK firms and overseas buyers and markets.

Better information for UK companies, including a database of tens of thousands of export opportunities.

Inspiring and encouraging more firms to export.

Civil disobedience and unrest could erupt if a second EU referendum is held, shadow international trade secretary, Barry Gardiner warned today.