Brexit: What we know

Britain has announced it will begin the process of leaving the European Union via a formal letter to EU President Donald Tusk on March 29

TIMING

Britons voted by 52 per cent to 48 per cent to leave the EU in a referendum in June 2016.

May will trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, which begins the two-year withdrawal process, on March 29.

The EU has said it will issue its first plan for Brexit talks within 48 hours, before finalising its strategy at a summit set to take place between four and six weeks after Article 50 is triggered.

But formal talks between London and Brussels are not expected to start for six to eight weeks, according to EU sources, and possibly later.

PRIORITIES

May will prioritise controlling immigration from the rest of the bloc, after the issue dominated the referendum campaign.

She acknowledges this will mean leaving Europe’s single market, of which freedom of movement is a key principle, and likely also the customs union.

Britain believes it can negotiate the exit agreement within the twoyear negotiating period.

Some in the EU argue the divorce must be finalised first — including the issue of Britain’s outstanding bills. European leaders have also been clear that Britain cannot get a better deal outside the EU than it had inside.

TRADE

Amid fears of the impact on jobs and growth of leaving the single market, May is pushing for “maximum possible access” for British companies. The government has indicated that Britain could make contributions to the EU budget to ensure trade access.

Continued full membership of the customs union is unlikely as it would prevent Britain striking its own trade deals with non-EU countries, a key plank of May’s strategy for a new “global Britain”.

May suggested Britain could sign up to some aspects of the customs union. The prime minister also says she wants a “phased period of implementation”.

IMMIGRATION

Hundreds of thousands of Europeans move to Britain each year. Brexit minister David Davis has said there would be no sudden drop in numbers, as it would take years to fill low-skilled jobs.

SECURITY

May has promised Britain will remain a “reliable ally” to the EU and wants “practical arrangements” on law enforcement and intelligence cooperation. She has also stressed Britain’s commitment to defending European security through Nato.

PARLIAMENT

The Supreme Court ruled in January that May’s government must obtain approval from the British parliament to trigger Article 50, prompting the introduction of emergency legislation.

The House of Lords put up some opposition, but support in the elected House of Commons meant the bill passed unamended.

May has promised parliament a vote on the final Brexit deal, but warned that rejecting it meant Britain would leave without any agreement. Other battles lie ahead, particularly over the Great Repeal Bill.