New Year message: Theresa May vows to 'eliminate' prejudice

“Together with our allies, we will continue the fight against all forms of extremism, and support our security services as they work every day to keep us safe.”

She added that next year’s 100^th anniversary of the vote being granted to women was an opportunity to “vow to eliminate all prejudice and discrimination from our society.

“Because in the United Kingdom in 2018, everyone deserves the chance to succeed and everyone has a right to be treated with respect.”

The Prime Minister said 2017 had been “a year of progress” on Brexit which she was determined to continue over the next 12 months when negotiations with the EU moved on to trade and security.

She also promised to strenghthen the economy, and invest in “the things that matter – our schools, our police and our precious NHS”, which celebrates its 70^th anniversary in 2018.

Mrs May said the government aimed to build more schools and homes, and work to protect the environment, tackling global warming and plastics polluting the oceans.

She said: “I believe 2018 can be a year of renewed confidence and pride in our country.

A year in which we continue to make good progress towards a successful Brexit deal, an economy that’s fit for the future, and a stronger and fairer society for everyone.

And whatever challenges we may face, I know we will overcome them by standing united as one proud union of nations and people.”

In his New Year message, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described his party as "the government in waiting" and said Britain was "being held back by a self-serving elite, who look after themselves and their friends and a failed system".

Sir Vince Cable, leader of the Liberal Democrats, pledged to offer people an "exit from Brexit".