98 Reasons To Stay In The EU: Benefits Of Membership For The UK

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

The Bank of England estimates that the fallout from a no-deal Brexit will be worse than the 2008 financial crisis. Needless to say, this is likely to be very bad for small businesses in the UK.

However, the UK can unilaterally rescind Article 50 at any time to stop this madness.

Here are 98 reasons why we should:

  1. Membership of the world’s largest trade bloc with more than 500 million consumers, accounting for 23% of the global GDP
  2. The UK has more global influence as a member of the European Union
  3. The European Union provides a counterweight to the global power of the United States, Russia, and China
  4. With Trump in the White House, the UK’s natural strongest allies are France, Germany, and our other neighbors in Western Europe
  5. Duty-free trade within the European Union
  6. Abolition of non-tariff barriers (quotas, subsidies, administrative rules, etc.)
  7. Participation in free trade agreements with Japan and Canada as a member of the European Union
  8. The European Union accounts for 44% of the UK’s total exports of goods and services
  9. The European Union accounts for 53% of all UK imports of goods and services
  10. Cheaper imports of food and alcohol from mainland Europe
  11. As a member of the European Union, the UK retains its say in shaping the rules governing its trade with its European partners.
  12. 3.1 million jobs in the UK are directly related to exports to the EU
  13. The free labor movement has helped UK companies close skills gaps (translators, doctors, plumbers)
  14. The free labor movement helped address the shortage of unskilled workers (fruit picking, catering)
  15. The single market has brought the best players in continental football to the Premier League
  16. The EU accounts for 47% of the UK’s stock of foreign direct investment (FDI), worth over $1.2 trillion.
  17. Access to the EU single market has helped attract investment into the UK from outside the EU
  18. There is no paperwork or customs for UK exports throughout the single market
  19. Transparency of prices and the abolition of commissions on currency transactions across the Eurozone
  20. Foreign direct investment in the UK has effectively doubled since the creation of the EU single market
  21. The UK’s net contribution to the EU budget is around €7.3 billion, or 0.4% of GDP (less than one-eighth of UK defense spending)
  22. Border checks don’t take long for travelers (except for the UK)
  23. The City of London, as a global financial center, has acted as a bridge between foreign companies and the European Union
  24. British banks and insurance companies were able to operate freely throughout the European Union
  25. Cornwall receives up to £750m a year from the EU Social Fund (ESF)
  26. Structural finance for areas of the UK hit by an industrial decline (South Wales, Yorkshire)
  27. Support for rural areas under the European Agricultural Fund for Regional Development (EAFRD)
  28. EU funding for UK infrastructure projects including £122m for the ‘Midlands Drive’ project
  29. Financial support from the European Union for more than 3,000 SMEs in the UK
  30. EU funding for the British film industry
  31. European Union funding for British theatre, music, and dance
  32. EU funding for British sport, including professional football coaching, tennis, and rugby league
  33. Glasgow (1990) and Liverpool (2008) have benefited from being European capitals of culture, stimulating their local economies.
  34. Competition laws in the European Union protect consumers by combating monopolistic business practices
  35. Strict controls over the operations of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the European Union
  36. Human rights are protected by the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights
  37. The death penalty can never be reintroduced as it is inconsistent with membership in the European Union
  38. Minority languages such as Welsh and Irish are recognized and protected by EU law
  39. The right to reside in any EU member state
  40. Freedom to work in 28 countries without visa and immigration restrictions
  41. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications has facilitated the free movement of engineers, teachers, and doctors across the European Union
  42. Mutual recognition of educational diplomas
  43. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) has standardized the assessment of language proficiency across the European Union
  44. Freedom to study in 28 countries (many EU universities teach courses in English and charge lower fees than in the UK)
  45. Erasmus University Exchange Program (16,000 British students benefit annually)
  46. Freedom to establish a company in 28 countries
  47. The ability to retire in any Member State
  48. Possibility of pension transfer
  49. The right to vote in local and European parliamentary elections if he resides in any member state
  50. European Union laws make it easier for Britons to buy property on the continent
  51. The right to receive emergency health care in any Member State (EHIC Card)
  52. Consular protection from any EU embassy outside the EU
  53. The European Union has played a leading role in combating global warming (2015 Paris Climate Change Conference)
  54. Common EU targets for greenhouse gas emissions (19% reduction from 1990 to 2015)
  55. Improvements in air quality (significant reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) as a result of EU legislation
  56. Reductions in wastewater emissions
  57. Improving the quality of beaches and bathing water
  58. European Union standards on drinking water quality
  59. Restrictions on landfilling
  60. European Union Recycling Goals
  61. Common European Union Regulations on the Transport and Disposal of Toxic Waste
  62. Implementation of EU policies to reduce noise pollution in urban areas
  63. EU policies have stimulated offshore wind farms
  64. Strict safety standards for cars, buses, and trucks
  65. Protecting endangered species and habitats (EU Natura 2000 Network)
  66. Strict ban on animal testing in the cosmetics industry
  67. Membership of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) which monitors the quality and safety of medicines (until recently located in London)
  68. 13% of the EU budget is devoted to scientific research and innovation
  69. The UK receives £730m annually from the European Union in research funding
  70. EU funding for UK universities
  71. Cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a member of Euratom
  72. Minimum paid annual leave and work leave (working time orientation)
  73. Equal pay for men and women enshrined in European law since 1957
  74. The right to work no more than 48 hours per week without overtime pay
  75. The minimum guaranteed maternity leave is 14 weeks for pregnant women
  76. Entitlements to a minimum of 18 weeks of parental leave after the birth of a child
  77. EU anti-discrimination laws governing age, religion, and sexual orientation
  78. EU rules governing health and safety at work
  79. Collective bargaining rights and union membership are enshrined in EU labor law
  80. As a non-member of the Schengen Area, the UK enjoys opting out of the single currency and retains full control of its borders
  81. Since 1985, the UK has received a budget rebate equal to 66% of its net contribution to the EU budget.
  82. Coordination between EU countries provides greater protection from terrorists, pedophiles, human traffickers, and cybercrimes
  83. Joint European Arrest Warrant
  84. Patent and copyright protection throughout Europe
  85. EU consumer protection laws relating to transparency and product guarantees of quality and safety
  86. Improved food labeling
  87. Ban growth hormones and other harmful food additives
  88. Cheaper air travel due to EU competition laws
  89. Common air passenger rights in the European Union
  90. The liberalization of the European energy market has increased consumer choice and lowered prices
  91. Mutual recognition of the Common European Driving Permit
  92. Introducing the European Pet Passport
  93. Waiver of mobile roaming charges
  94. The European Union acts as a guarantor of the Irish Good Friday Agreement
  95. Friction-free Irish borders
  96. The European Union acts as the guarantor of Gibraltar’s special status
  97. The European Union has helped support and maintains a democracy in Spain, Portugal, and Greece since the 1970s and these countries have become major destinations for British tourists.
  98. Membership in the European Union has helped facilitate intercultural dialogue

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

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