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08 April 2016

HM Government: Why the Government believes we should remain


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The UK Government has produced a guide on what the EU does, how it helps on jobs, trade and the economy, and explaining exactly how to vote in the referendum.


The Government believes that voting to remain in the EU is the best decision for the UK. This is your chance to decide your own future and the future of the UK. It is important that you vote.

The UK’s special status

The UK has special status in a reformed EU. It has kept the pound, will not join the euro and has kept control of the UK border.

The UK Government has negotiated a new settlement with the EU ahead of the referendum. The Government believes this deal gives the UK within the EU the best of both worlds.

The UK has secured a special status in a reformed EU:

  • we will not join the euro
  • we will keep our own border controls
  • the UK will not be part of further European political integration
  • there will be tough new restrictions on access to our welfare system for new EU migrants
  • we have a commitment to reduce EU red tape

The deal gives the UK the best of both worlds. The UK is stronger, safer and better off in a reformed EU. We have access to the Single Market and play a leading role in determining the rules that govern it.

EU membership contributes to the attractiveness of the UK for international investment. It also gives us access to trade deals with over 50 countries around the world. EU membership means opportunities, jobs, and greater economic security for the people of the UK.

This special status means that it is the Government’s view that the UK’s national interest – the interests of every family, household, business, community, region and nation within our United Kingdom – is best served by our country remaining in a reformed EU.

Jobs and trade

 

Over 3 million jobs in the UK are linked to exports to other European Union countries.

The EU is by far the UK’s biggest trading partner. EU countries buy 44% of everything we sell abroad, from goods like cars to services such as insurance.

As an EU Member State, the UK has full access to the Single Market. This market is made up of over 500 million customers and represents an economy over five times bigger than the UK’s. And it makes it easier and cheaper for UK companies to sell their products to the other 27 EU countries, creating jobs as a result.

Being inside the EU also makes it more attractive to invest in the UK, meaning more jobs. Over the last decade, foreign companies have invested £540 billion in the UK, equivalent to £148 million every day.

Remaining inside the EU guarantees our full access to the Single Market. By contrast, leaving would create uncertainty and risk.

Losing our full access to the EU’s Single Market would make exporting to Europe harder and increase costs for UK businesses.

Read the full guide

In Facts related article 



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