Liam Fox says the chance of a no-deal Brexit is growing, blaming the “intransigence” of the European Commission.

The international trade secretary and Brexiteer put the chance of failing to come to an agreement at “60-40”.

He told a Sunday newspaper that Brussels’ chief negotiator had dismissed the UK’s Chequers proposals simply because “we have never done it before”.

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The UK’s biggest companies have become more optimistic about the impact of Brexit on the UK economy, according to a survey, conducted twice a year by ICSA, the governance body, in conjunction with the Financial Times.

It found that more than half — 55% — of FTSE 350 company secretaries expected Brexit to have a negative effect on the economy, but this was sharply down on the proportion a year ago, when over two-thirds — 69% — thought this would be the case.

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More than six million workers are worried their jobs could be replaced by machines over the next decade, according to a report urging trade unions and the government to provide more support for those at risk.

The findings come as Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the Commons home affairs select committee, launches a commission on workers and technology for the Fabian Society and the Community trade union.