UK will leave the European single market, PM confirms

THE UK will leave the European single market and agree a new free trade agreement with the EU, Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed this week – and this would allow the country to cut immigration.

In a long-awaited speech setting out the Government’s plan for Brexit, she said: “We will get control of the number of people coming to Britain from the EU because, while controlled immigration can bring great benefits, filling skill shortages, delivering public services, making British businesses the world beaters they often are, when the numbers get too high, public support in the system falters.”

The Prime Minister said that her plans for Brexit cannot allow continued membership of the single market, which would require free movement of people and accepting the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Instead, she said that she will seek “the greatest possible access to the single market on a recipro- cal basis, through a comprehensive trade agreement”.

Mrs May said that she wanted to remain part of a customs agreement with the remaining 27 EU states, but said she had an “open mind” over whether this would be through associate membership of the Customs Union or through some other arrangement. She also revealed that the final Brexit deal reached between the UK and European Union will be put to a vote in both Houses of Parliament.

Mrs May did not make clear whether a vote against the agreement would result in the UK remaining in the EU or in Britain crashing out of the 28-nation bloc without a deal.

Speaking at Lancaster House, Mrs May said: “When it comes to Parliament, there is one... way in which I would like to provide certainty. I can confirm today that the Government will put the final deal that is agreed between the UK and the EU to a vote in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force.”