EU: IN or OUT?
With the EU Referendum round the corner, we have created this post to make it easier to see the reasons why we should leave the EU or Remain.
1. Consumer affairs
Remain
People in Britain save an average of £450 a year because prices are lower as a result of EU membership
Flights and mobile phone charges are among the goods and services that are cheaper
The EU ensures that imported goods meet European quality standards
Leave
EU red tape makes goods and services more expensive
The recent row over the “tampon tax” shows the EU has too much power, Britain should be able to set VAT rates itself
Consumer protection laws existed before the EU and would remain after Britain left
2. Cost of membership
Remain
Economic benefits of EU membership easily outweigh the cost
Other countries contribute more per person than the UK does
After Brexit, the UK would still have to contribute to the EU budget to retain access to the single market
Leave
The gross cost works out at £350m a week
If the UK left, billions of pounds would become available for other priorities
The UK would also be able to decide how to spend the money that the EU transfers back to it
3. Education and research
Remain
UK universities receive millions in research funding from the EU
Many of the UK's top scientists come from elsewhere in Europe with the help of EU grants
The Erasmus programme allows British students to study abroad
Leave
Only 3% of total R&D spending in Britain is funded by the EU
The UK will be able to increase funding to science out of savings from not paying for EU membership
Britain could set its own immigration policy which could fast track scientists and graduates
4. Energy and environment
Remain
Leaving the EU would see energy bills rise by £500m
Britain’s energy security is stronger as part of the EU because it negotiates as a large bloc
The UK has cleaner water and air, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to EU action
Leave
EU environmental regulation can be an unnecessary burden on business and push up energy prices
Other European countries would still want to sell their electricity to the UK after Brexit
Most of the UK's gas imports come from Norway – Britain is not dependent on Russia
5. Farming and fishing
Remain
Many British farmers would go out of business without the support of the CAP
73% of UK farming exports go to the EU
It was the EU that forced France and Germany to lift bans on British beef
Fisheries have to be managed to prevent over-fishing
Leave
Britain pays more for the CAP than it gets back so leaving the EU would make more money available for UK farmers
The CAP also wastes lots of money on bureaucracy
The Common Fisheries Policy has devastated the British fishing industry
6. Global role and defence
Remain
UK needs to be in the EU helping to take big decisions, not sitting on the sidelines
Leaving the EU would diminish Britain’s influence on the world stage
Working with EU neighbours to tackle shared threats has helped keep Britain safer
Leave
Membership of Nato and the UN Security Council are more important to Britain’s defence than the EU
The EU interferes with defence procurement and wants to set up its own army
Britain would have more influence on the world stage as an independent country
7. Immigration
Remain
Immigrants, especially those from the EU, pay more in taxes than they take out
Cameron's EU deal means in-work benefits for new EU migrant workers will be limited for the first four years
Outside the EU the UK would still have to accept free movement to gain full access to the single market
Immigration is good for the economy
Leave
It is impossible to control immigration as a member of the EU
Public services are under strain because of the number of migrants
High immigration has driven down wages for British workers
Points-based system for migrants to the UK should be extended to include those from the EU
8. Policing and security
Remain
Britain does not have open borders because it is not in the Schengen area
Europol membership allows the UK to share intelligence and fight cross-border crime
The European Arrest Warrant has returned over 1,000 criminals to face justice in the UK
Leave
Being in the EU makes it easier for terrorists to come to the UK
Supremacy of EU courts makes it harder to deport violent criminals
Britain would still co-operate with other European countries to fight terrorism after Brexit, as currently happens with the US
9. Sovereignty and laws
Remain
Only a minority of UK laws derive from the EU
Britain retains a veto in many important areas
Cameron’s EU deal allows national parliaments to block legislation
Some sharing of sovereignty is crucial to enable fair trade across Europe
Leave
Most UK laws are made in Brussels
Other member states can force through decisions against the UK’s wishes
The British government has repeatedly been defeated in cases brought to the ECJ
Leaving the EU is the only way to regain full sovereignty
10. Trade and economy
Remain
Brexit would cause an economic shock and growth would be slower
As a share of exports Britain is more dependent on the rest of the EU than they are on us
The UK would still have to apply EU rules to retain access to the single market
Leave
UK companies would be freed from the burden of EU regulation
Trade with EU countries would continue because we import more from them than we export to them
Britain would be able to negotiate its own trade deals with other countries
11. Travel and living abroad
Remain
Flights to Europe and using mobile phones on holiday are cheaper thanks to the EU
British tourists enjoy free or cheaper healthcare in other EU countries
There is no guarantee that expats in the EU would be able to stay after Brexit
Leave
There is no reason that leaving the EU would make it harder to go on holiday in Europe
International law means current expats could not be forced to return to the UK
The UK has deals with lots of other countries to help Britons living abroad
12. Work and pay
Remain
Three million jobs in the UK are linked to trade with the EU
The EU has delivered guaranteed holiday pay, paid maternity leave, and increased protection in the workplace
The UK gets £66m investment every day from the EU
Leave
Less regulation in the workplace would create more jobs
Maternity leave and holiday pay would only change if Britain decided to change them
The UK could get more investment from countries outside the EU
Lower migration would push wages up
This information was sourced from the BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32793642
