UK Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to reveal her 12-point Brexit negotiating plan to diplomats and politicians at Lancaster House, London, on Tuesday (18 January).

The much-awaited address, delivered at the Foreign Office-owned mansion steeped in political history, will come just around two months before the UK government plans to start divorce proceedings with the EU.

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May, who has been pressured from across the political spectrum to drop her "no running commentary" stance, will unveil her plan for a so called "hard Brexit".

"Not partial membership of the European Union, associate membership of the European Union or anything that leaves us half in, half out," the Conservative premier will say.

The comments will be a blow for British business bodies and those calling for a "soft Brexit" since the remarks indicate that the UK is heading towards a split from the EU's customs union and reduced access to the bloc's single-market.

The position would allow the British government to make its own free trade agreements – something they cannot do as members of the EU – and introduce curbs on EU immigration, which is currently outlawed under the bloc's free movement rules.

May will bill this as a "truly Global Britain" before jetting off to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where populism is expected to be a major talking point.

The markets and EU leaders will no doubt be listening very carefully to the prime minister's speech from 11.45 GMT. You can watch the address on major broadcasters such as BBC News and Sky News.

Excerpts of May's speech

"A little over six months ago the British people voted for change. They voted to shape a brighter future for our country. They voted to leave the European Union and embrace the world.

"And they did so with their eyes open: accepting that the road ahead will be uncertain at times, but believing that it leads towards a brighter future for their children – and their grandchildren too.

"And it is the job of this Government to deliver it. That means more than negotiating our new relationship with the EU. It means taking the opportunity of this great moment of national change to step back and ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be.

"My answer is clear. I want this United Kingdom to emerge from this period of change stronger, fairer, more united and more outward-looking than ever before. I want us to be a secure, prosperous, tolerant country – a magnet for international talent and a home to the pioneers and innovators who will shape the world ahead.

"I want us to be a truly global Britain – the best friend and neighbour to our European partners, but a country that reaches beyond the borders of Europe too.

"A country that gets out into the world to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike.

"I want Britain to be what we have the potential and ambition to be: a great, global trading nation that is respected around the world and strong, confident and united at home."

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"Our vote to leave the European Union was no rejection of the values we share. The decision to leave the EU represents no desire to become more distant to you, our friends and neighbours.

"We will continue to be reliable partners, willing allies and close friends. We want to buy your goods, sell you ours, trade with you as freely as possible, and work with one another to make sure we are all safer, more secure and more prosperous through continued friendship."

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"We seek a new and equal partnership – between an independent, self-governing, Global Britain and our friends and allies in the EU.

"Not partial membership of the European Union, associate membership of the European Union, or anything that leaves us half-in, half-out. We do not seek to adopt a model already enjoyed by other countries. We do not seek to hold on to bits of membership as we leave.

"The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. My job is to get the right deal for Britain as we do."

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"We have 12 objectives that amount to one big goal: a new, positive and constructive partnership between Britain and the European Union.

"And as we negotiate that partnership, we will be driven by some simple principles: we will provide as much certainty and clarity as we can at every stage. And we will take this opportunity to make Britain stronger, to make Britain fairer, and to build a more global Britain too."

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