Brexiteer Michael Gove signals support for transition period as a 'pragmatic' approach

‘I think the judgement we need to make about future migration policy should and be shaped by what's in the interests of our economy, consistent with recognising the instruction the British people gave us last year’ he says

Britain's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove arrives for a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street (Getty)

Michael Gove has promised a “pragmatic” approach to Brexit in response to suggestions Britain could maintain free movement for EU citizens during a transition period following the official separation from Brussels.

The Environment Secretary said decisions on an “implementation period” would be made “in the best interests of our economy”, while fellow Brexiteer Liam Fox said he was prepared to wait “another couple of years” for a full separation from Brussels.

Their comments indicated a widening of Cabinet support for a transitional deal between the UK leaving the EU in March 2019 and a new trading arrangement being introduced.

But the terms of any such deal are likely to be viewed with suspicion by hardline Eurosceptics.

A report in The Times said Prime Minister Theresa May is ready to offer free movement for two years under a plan drawn up by Chancellor Philip Hammond, while the Guardian quoted “a senior Cabinet source” as saying that the period could last for three or even four years.

It is thought that Mr Hammond believes he has won backing within the Cabinet for a transition to prevent disruption to business caused by a sudden “cliff-edge” move to new arrangements on 29 March 2019, when Brexit is due to happen.

Answering questions following his first speech as Environment Secretary, Mr Gove would not be drawn on the details of any potential transitional deal – or implementation period as ministers refer to it - but said the Government wanted the process to be as smooth as possible.

Speaking in Woking, Surrey, he said: "I think when it comes to an implementation period it should be driven by a pragmatic judgement about what we need in the best interests of our economy and in the best interests of guaranteeing a smooth exit from the EU, in line with the result the British people voted for just over a year ago.

"Pragmatism is the watchword."

Pushed on whether freedom of movement would continue to apply, he said: "I think the judgement we need to make about future migration policy should and be shaped by what's in the interests of our economy, consistent with recognising the instruction the British people gave us last year."

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has said a trade deal with the EU should be the easiest in history because both sides currently had the same rules, but was relaxed about the prospect of a transitional period.

"Having waited 43 years, another couple of years – if we can get it to work well for the country and for our European partners, and we can do it for the stability of British business and for our own prosperity – that seems to me just a common sense thing to do," he told Sky News.

Press Association