An important decision for the UK

On Thursday, 23 June there will be a referendum. It’s your opportunity to decide if the UK remains in the European Union ( EU ).

It’s a big decision. One that will affect you, your family and your children for decades to come.

The UK has secured a special status in a reformed EU .1

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

migrants we have a commitment to reduce EU red tape

The government believes the UK should remain in the EU

This leaflet sets out the facts, and explains why the government believes a vote to remain in the EU is in the best interests of the people of the UK. It shows some of the choices the UK would face if there were a vote to leave.

If you would like further information, please visit the government’s EU referendum website at EUreferendum.gov.uk

A stronger economy

The EU is by far the UK’s biggest trading partner.2 EU countries buy 44% of everything we sell abroad, from cars to insurance.3 Remaining inside the EU guarantees our full access to its single market. By contrast, leaving creates uncertainty and risk.4

The EU ’s single market has over 500 million customers 5 and an economy over 5 times bigger than the UK’s. 6 The single market makes it easier and cheaper for UK companies to sell their products outside the UK, creating jobs as a result.7’8’9

Being inside the EU also makes it more attractive for companies to invest in the UK, 10 meaning more jobs 11. Over the last decade, foreign companies have invested £540 billion in the UK, equivalent to £148 million every day 12.

UK industry and the EU 13

Industry Jobs Share of exports going to the EU Aerospace 110,000 47% Chemicals and pharmaceuticals 136,000 54% Financial services 1,069,000 41% Food manufacturing 373,000 53% IT and telecoms 1,364,000 46% Transport 1,065,000 44%

Over 3 million UK jobs are linked to exports to the EU 14

Improving our lives

Cost of living

If the UK voted to leave the EU , the resulting economic shock15 would put pressure on the value of the pound, which would risk higher prices of some household goods16 and damage living standards.17

Losing our full access to the EU ’s single market would make exporting to Europe harder and increase costs.18

Travel abroad

Millions of UK citizens travel to Europe each year.19 The EU has made this easier and cheaper.

EU reforms in the 1990s have resulted in a drop in fares of over 40% for lower cost flights.20

From next year, mobile phone roaming charges will be abolished across the EU , saving UK customers up to 38p per minute on calls.21

EU membership also gives UK citizens travelling in other European countries the right to access free or cheaper public healthcare.22

Some argue little would change if we left the EU . But there are no guarantees UK customers would keep these benefits if we left.

If the UK voted to leave the EU , the resulting economic shock would risk higher prices of some household goods 23

What happens if we leave?

Voting to leave the EU would create years of uncertainty and potential economic disruption. This would reduce investment and cost jobs.24

The government judges it could result in 10 years or more of uncertainty as the UK unpicks our relationship with the EU and renegotiates new arrangements with the EU and over 50 other countries around the world.25

Some argue that we could strike a good deal quickly with the EU because they want to keep access to our market.

But the government’s judgement is that it would be much harder than that – less than 8% of EU exports come to the UK while 44% of UK exports go to the EU .26

No other country has managed to secure significant access to the single market, without having to:

follow EU rules over which they have no real say

rules over which they have no real say pay into the EU

accept EU citizens living and working in their country 27’28

A more limited trade deal with the EU would give the UK less access to the single market than we have now – including for services, which make up almost 80% of the UK economy.29 For example, Canada’s deal with the EU will give limited access for services,30 it has so far been 7 years in the making and is still not in force. 31

Controlling immigration and securing our borders

Securing our borders

The UK is not part of the EU ’s border-free zone – we control our own borders which gives us the right to check everyone, including EU nationals, arriving from continental Europe.32

Immigration

The government has negotiated a deal that will make our benefits system less of a draw for EU citizens. In future, new EU migrants will not have full access to certain benefits until they have worked here for up to 4 years. 33 The government will have greater powers to take action where there is abuse of our immigration system. 34

Some argue that leaving the EU would give us more freedom to limit immigration. But in return for the economic benefits of access to the EU ’s single market, non- EU countries – such as Norway – have had to accept the right of all EU citizens to live and work in their country. 35

Keeping us safer

EU membership means UK police can use law enforcement intelligence from 27 EU countries, 36 and will have access to fingerprint and DNA information. 37

EU co-operation makes it easier to keep criminals and terrorists out of the UK. 38 Since 2004, using the European Arrest Warrant, over 1,000 suspects have faced justice in UK courts and over 7,000 have been extradited. 39

The benefits of EU membership

The UK is part of the EU , a group of 28 countries which exists to promote economic security, peace and stability. 40 The EU operates as a single, free trading market, without taxes between borders.41

The UK has secured a special status in the EU . The UK has kept the pound, will not join the euro and has kept control of UK borders. We have ensured that no UK powers can be transferred to the EU in the future without a referendum. 42 The UK will keep full access to the single market, with a say on its rules. For every £1 paid in tax, a little over 1p goes to the EU . 43 The government judges that what the UK gets back in opportunities, job creation and economic security from EU membership far outweighs the cost.

Opportunities for you and your children

EU membership means you and your family have the right to live, work or study abroad in any of the 27 other member countries. It also guarantees many employment rights.44

The UK as a leading force in the world

The UK is a strong, independent nation. Our EU membership magnifies the UK’s ability to get its way on the issues we care about.45 EU action helped prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons;46 and the EU is leading the world on tackling climate change.47

A once in a generation decision

The referendum on Thursday, 23 June is your chance to decide if we should remain in or leave the European Union.

The government believes it is in the best interests of the UK to remain in the EU .

This is the way to protect jobs, provide security, and strengthen the UK’s economy for every family in this country – a clear path into the future, in contrast to the uncertainty of leaving.

This is your decision. The government will implement what you decide.

If you’re aged 18 or over by 23 June and are entitled to vote, this is your chance to decide. Registration ends on 7 June. Find out how to register at aboutmyvote.co.uk and register online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

If you would like to know more about any of the information in this leaflet, go to: EUreferendum.gov.uk.

The government believes that voting to remain in the European Union is the best decision for the UK

protecting jobs

a stronger economy

providing security

The EU referendum is a once in a generation decision. The government believes it is in you and your family’s best interests that the UK remains in the European Union.

Vote on Thursday, 23 June 2016.