Brussels is ready to drop its free-movement demands to end the Brexit deadlock as long as Theresa May makes concessions in return

EUROCRATS are preparing to offer Theresa May an “opt out” of free movement rules in a bid to thrash out a Brexit deal.

Insiders on Thursday said Brussels was willing to allow the UK to scrap unlimited EU immigration.

But they said the EU would force Mrs May to make MORE concessions in return.

Under the trade-off plan, the UK would have to agree to replicate all EU environmental, social and customs rules – placing further restrictions on the ability for trade deals with the rest of the world.

The relationship would mirror the EU’s relationship with Jersey and other Channel Islands – and allow Britain to remain in a single market for goods.

Government insiders last night said it was clear there had been a “shift in language” from the EU following Theresa May’s Chequers plan.

But Tory Brexiteers last night demanded the PM “hold her nerve” – and rule out any further compromise.

Arch Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Sun: “This may indicate the Commission is willing to move - but it’s not a movement in a direction the UK government should accept.

“This is what (former Brexit Secretary) David Davis has always said - they would be willing to move late in the process and we just had to hold our nerve.

“But the problem is that we haven’t done so and we have offered a proposal to the Commission that is tantamount to not leaving the EU.”

Theresa May’s White Paper enraged hard-Brexiteers by proposing to bind the UK to EU rules for goods, state aid and competition.

US President Donald Trump told The Sun the concession could threaten a transatlantic trade deal.

One senior Whitehall source said: “The noises coming out of Brussels this week suggest some positive engagement with the White Paper.

“What the needs to translate into is positive discussions in the negotiating room. The EU should be in no doubt that we need to get on with this.

“The prospect of No Deal is very real, and we are stepping up our preparations for that scenario.”

Yesterday claims came as the CBI business lobbyists called for the UK to keep almost every aspect of EU free movement rules after Brexit.

It said EU citizens should only be able to stay for three months unless they can prove they are working, studying or “self-sufficient”.

And it said firms should only prioritise local recruitment if unemployment rates for specific professions hit certain specified high levels.

CBI deputy director general Josh Hardie said: “Get it wrong, and the UK risks having too few people to run the NHS, pick fruit or deliver products to stores around the country.”

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