Prime Minister Theresa May insisted on Sunday that Britain will have "control over our borders" after Brexit, suggesting she would be prepared to quit Europe's trading zone to achieve it.
"The referendum vote was a vote for us to... bring control into our immigration system. I'm clear that is part of what we need to deliver," she told Sky News in an interview.
"We will be able to have control over our borders, of our laws."
German leader Angela Merkel has warned Britain will not be able to remain in the EU's single market while "cherry picking" the terms - including over the free movement of labour. May on Sunday appeared to suggest she would be willing to quit the trade zone.