Theresa May has said the UK “cannot possibly” remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean “not leaving the EU at all”.
But the prime minister promised to push for the “greatest possible” access to the single market following Brexit.
In a long-awaited speech, she also announced Parliament would get a vote on the final deal agreed between the UK and the European Union.
And Mrs May promised an end to “vast contributions” to the organization.
The government has so far revealed few details about what it wants to secure from the Brexit talks, which it is promising to trigger by the end of March. Labour has urged Mrs May to push for a “deal that works for trade”.