With the Brexit deadline fast approaching and no deal in sight, we thought now might be a good time to take a look at 98 benefits of EU membership for the UK.

The Bank of England estimates that the fallout of a No Deal Brexit will be worse than the 2008 financial crisis. Needless to say this will likely be very bad for UK small businesses.

However, the UK can unilaterally revoke article 50 at any time to stop this madness.

Here 98 reasons why we should:

Membership of the world’s largest trading bloc with over 500 million consumers, representing 23% of global GDP The UK has greater global influence as a member of the EU The EU provides a counterweight to the global power of the US, Russia and China With Trump in the White House the UK’s strongest natural allies are France, Germany and our other West European neighbours Tariff-free trade within the EU The abolition of non-tariff barriers (quotas, subsidies, administrative rules etc.) among members Participation in free trade agreements with Japan and Canada as an EU member The EU accounts for 44% of all UK exports of goods and services The EU accounts for 53% of all UK imports of goods and services Cheaper food and alcohol imports from continental Europe As a member of the EU the UK maintains a say in the shaping of the rules governing its trade with its European partners 3.1 million jobs in the UK are directly linked to exports to the EU Free movement of labour has helped UK firms plug skills gaps (translators, doctors, plumbers) Free movement of labour has helped address shortages of unskilled workers (fruit picking, catering) The Single Market has brought the best continental footballers to the Premier League The EU accounts for 47% of the UK’s stock of inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), worth over $1.2 trillion Access to the EU Single Market has helped attract investment into the UK from outside the EU No paperwork or customs for UK exports throughout the single market Price transparency and removal of commissions on currency transactions across the Eurozone FDI into the UK has effectively doubled since the creation of the EU Single Market The UK’s net contribution to the EU budget is around €7.3bn, or 0.4% of GDP (less than an eighth of the UK’s defence spending) No time consuming border checks for travellers (apart from in the UK) The City of London, as a global financial hub, has acted as a bridge between foreign business and the EU British banks and insurance companies have been able to operate freely across the EU Cornwall receives up to £750 million per year from the EU Social Fund (ESF) Structural funding for areas of the UK hit by industrial decline (South Wales, Yorkshire) Support for rural areas under the European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development (EAFRD) EU funding for infrastructure projects in the UK including £122 million for the “Midlands engine” project Financial support from the EU for over 3,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK EU funding for the British film industry EU funding for British theatre, music and dance EU funding for British sport, including football apprenticeships, tennis and rugby league Glasgow (1990) and Liverpool (2008) benefitted from being European capitals of culture, stimulating their local economies EU competition laws protect consumers by combatting monopolistic business practices Strict controls on the operations of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in the EU Human Rights protected under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights The death penalty can never be reintroduced as it is incompatible with EU membership Minority languages such as Welsh and Irish are recognized and protected under EU law The right to reside in any EU member state The freedom to work in 28 countries without visa and immigration restrictions The mutual recognition of professional qualifications has facilitated the free movement of engineers, teachers and doctors across the EU The mutual recognition of educational diplomas The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) has standardized assessment of language proficiency across the EU The freedom to study in 28 countries (many EU universities teach courses in English and charge lower fees than in the UK) The Erasmus programme of university exchanges (benefitting 16000 UK students a year) The freedom to set up a business in 28 countries The ability to retire in any member state Pension transferability The right to vote in local and European Parliamentary elections if resident in any member state EU laws making it easier for British people to buy property on the continent The right to receive emergency healthcare in any member state (EHIC card) Consular protection from any EU embassy outside the EU The EU has played a leading role in combatting global warming (Paris 2015 climate change conference) Common EU greenhouse gas emissions targets (19% reduction from 1990 to 2015) Improvements in air quality (significant reductions in sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) as a result of EU legislation Reductions in sewage emissions Improvements in the quality of beaches and bathing water EU standards on the quality of drinking water Restrictions on landfill dumping EU targets for recycling Common EU regulations on the transportation and disposal of toxic waste The implementation of EU policies to reduce noise pollution in urban areas EU policies have stimulated offshore wind farms Strict safety standards for cars, buses and trucks Protection of endangered species and habitats (EU Natura 2000 network) Strict ban on animal testing in the cosmetics industry Membership of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) which monitors the quality and safety of medicines (until recently located in London) 13% of EU budget earmarked for scientific research and innovation The UK receives £730 million a year in EU funding for research EU funding for UK universities Cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a member of Euratom Minimum paid annual leave and time off work (Working Time Directive) Equal pay between men and women enshrined in European law since 1957 The right to work no more than 48 hours a week without paid overtime Minimum guaranteed maternity leave of 14 weeks for pregnant women Rights to a minimum 18 weeks of parental leave after child birth EU anti-discrimination laws governing age, religion and sexual orientation EU rules governing health and safety at work The rights to collective bargaining and trade union membership are enshrined in EU employment law The UK enjoys an opt out from the single currency and maintains full control of its borders as a non-member of the Schengen area Since 1985 the UK has received a budget rebate equivalent to 66% of its net contribution to the EU budget EU cross-country coordination offers greater protection from terrorists, pedophiles, people traffickers and cyber-crime The European common arrest warrant Europe-wide patent and copyright protection EU consumer protection laws concerning transparency and product guarantees of quality and safety Improved food labeling A ban on growth hormones and other harmful food additives Cheaper air travel due to EU competition laws Common EU air passenger rights Deregulation of the European energy market has increased consumer choice and lowered prices Mutual recognition of the common European driving license The introduction of the European pet passport The abolition of mobile telephone roaming charges The EU acts as a guarantor of the Irish Good Friday Agreement A frictionless Irish border The EU acts as a guarantor of the special status of Gibraltar The EU helped support and maintain democracy in Spain, Portugal and Greece from the 1970s and these countries have become major destinations for British tourists EU membership has helped facilitate intercultural dialogue

Found via Campaign to Remain – keep Britain in Europe Facebook page

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