Ministers are recruiting the “best” trade negotiators from across the Commonwealth to help train civil servants in securing trade deals ahead of Brexit.

Officials from New Zealand, Australia and Canada have been targeted for secondments at the International Trade Department to help with preparations for talks.

Greg Hands, the trade minister, issued a public call inviting Commonwealth trade experts to spend time in Britain during a debate in the Commons this week.

There is a concern that the UK lacks the expertise for complex trade negotiations after 40 years of relying on Brussels to secure such deals.

A New Zealand official has already been seconded to train up Britain’s trade policy unit, while there is a hope more will follow.