THERESA May has spoken with European leaders over Christmas but "there is still more work to do" just nine days before her key Brexit deal returns to the Commons for a key vote that will shape the UK's future.
MPs are due to debate the Withdrawal Agreement hammered out with Brussels on January 9 before a meaningful vote the following week.
Having been forced to pull the vote in December in the face of almost certain failure, Mrs May needs something fresh to offer critics in the Tory ranks if it is to pass this time.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said yesterday that while discussions between the UK and EU had continued she was still working on getting the "legal and political assurances" required.
She said the PM had "been in contact with European leaders and that will continue in the lead up to the vote".
The spokeswoman said: "Her focus is certainly on getting the assurances that MPs want ahead of that vote taking place.
"There is still work to do and talks will continue."
The PM has urged MPs to back her Brexit deal, saying that passing it into law will allow the UK to "turn a corner" and put a disruptive period of political turmoil behind it.
The Prime Minister used her New Year message to put pressure on politicians to support her Withdrawal Agreement when it is put before the Commons.
She said while the 2016 referendum was "divisive" there was a chance to make 2019 "the year we put our differences aside and move forward together".
In her video message, she said: "New Year is a time to look ahead and in 2019 the UK will start a new chapter.
"The Brexit deal I have negotiated delivers on the vote of the British people and in the next few weeks MPs will have an important decision to make.
"If Parliament backs a deal, Britain can turn a corner."
Meanwhile, DUP leader Arlene Foster used her New Year message to warn the PM that she will need to get significant changes to her Withdrawal Agreement if the pro-leave party are to back it.
Mrs Foster, whose party is in a confidence and supply arrangement with the Conservative government, said: "The prime minister has promised to get changes to the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement.
"We will be holding her to that commitment and we will work with the government to achieve a better deal.
"We are very mindful that any deal will bind the hands of future governments and prime ministers therefore the legal text must be watertight for the United Kingdom."
Jeremy Corbyn used his New Year message to accuse Theresa May's government of plunging the country into crisis by making a "mess" of Brexit.
The Labour leader said the prime minister's efforts to force through her Withdrawal Agreement in a crunch Commons vote next month were "letting people down all across the country, whether they voted leave or remain".
In the message, released on social media yesterday morning, he said the UK was full of talent that was being held back by the economic system and Conservative rule.
