Britain will leave the European Union's single market when it exits the group, Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday, putting an end to speculation that London might try to seek a "soft Brexit."
In a long-awaited speech in which she sought to define the country's future as a global player that aims to trade freely far beyond Europe, May said the final exit deal will be put to Parliament for a vote.
That promise helped revive the pound on currency markets. Sterling, which has traded at the lowest levels against the dollar for more than three decades, rose during May's speech, hitting a daily high.