Theresa May will travel to Brussels with the EU still not budging on the backstop

Theresa May will travel to Brussels on Wednesday for a meeting with Jean Claude-Juncker after the EU once again ruled out fundamental changes to the Brexit deal.

However, negotiators from both sides are currently working on a new legal text relating to the Irish backstop plan aimed at winning support from the UK parliament.

Brexit secretary Steven Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox met the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday to find a way through the impasse – but all that was agreed was to hold further talks.

In a press conference on Tuesday, a spokesman for the European Commission ruled out some of the ideas put forward by the UK to reach a deal.

Margaritis Schinas said: “The EU will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. We cannot accept a time limit to the backstop or a unilateral exit clause.”

Downing Street brushed off the comments, with the Prime Minister’s official spokesman saying the EU would have to show flexibility if it wants to avoid a ‘no deal’ outcome in the Brexit talks.

He said: “The deal that is on the table has been rejected by 230 votes.

“MPs have been clear that they need legally binding changes in relation to backstop so the EU need to work with us in order to give Parliament the assurances that it needs.”

Business Secretary Greg Clark used a speech at the Make UK conference of manufacturers on Tuesday to repeat his warnings about the implications of a ‘no deal’ outcome.

He said: “Some people, when you voice these concerns describe this as ‘Project Fear'.

"But for me, knowing the familiarity that you have with the reality of running manufacturing operations and employing millions of people around the UK, I think it is better described as ‘Project Reality', and your evidence needs to be acted upon.”

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will use a speech in Berlin on Wednesday to pile more pressure on the EU to reach an agreement with the UK.

At the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung think-tank he is expected to say that failing to strike deal “would be deeply damaging – economically and politically.”

He is expected to add: “We do not want historians in the future to puzzle over our actions and ask themselves how it was that Europe failed to achieve an amicable change in its relationship with Britain – a country that is not simply a partner but a friend and ally in every possible sense.”