UK to leave the European single market, Prime Minister May says

In her most important speech as UK Prime Minister yet, Theresa May has said that the final Brexit deal with the EU will mean the UK leaving the European single market.

May said the UK’s Brexit plans "cannot mean membership of the single market".

She said: "Being out of the EU but a member of the Single Market would mean complying with the EU's rules and regulations that implement those freedoms, without having a vote on what those rules and regulations are.

"It would mean accepting a role for the European Court of Justice that would see it still having direct legal authority in our country.

"It would to all intents and purposes mean not leaving the EU at all."

May confirmed that the government will put the final deal between the UK and the EU "to a vote in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force".

However, she did not make it clear whether a vote against the agreement would result in the UK remaining within the EU, or leaving the block without any kind of deal.

Here are the key points from her speech:

• The UK will not remain a member of the Single Market
• Both Houses of Parliament will get a vote on the final deal on Brexit
• The Government wants a deal on the Customs Union
• There will be a transitional period that could require negotiation
• Britain will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice

It is not clear how Brexit plans may affect the biofuels/bioenergy industry. However, the plans could have an impact on EU research and development funds for biofuels/bioenergy researchers based in the UK.