Guardian Prize Crossword 29577 Saturday...
Crosswords1 min ago
Why is Britain part of the EU?
16 Answers
If you ask me i think the European Union is a waste of time. Whats the actual reason we are part of it, i assume it has something to do with finance.
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Its all here, I started waffling but its easier to show you an article
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/euro.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/euro.htm
As the fifth largest economy in the world the UK is important to the prosperity of the EU, but the EU is equally important to the UK economy. Some simple facts speak volumes.
Over half your trade in goods and services is with other EU countries.
Eight of your top ten trading partners are EU member states.
One seventh of all UK income and production is linked to trade with other EU members.
Over three million jobs in the UK are linked to exports to the EU.
The EU forms the largest single market in the world and accounted for 40 per cent of global trade in 2004. There are over 450 million people in this market for EU businesses.
100,000 Britons work in other EU countries, and another 350,000 live in those countries.
Single market competition has halved the price of air travel within Europe.
The price of international phone calls has fallen within the EU by 80 per cent since 1984.
Over half your trade in goods and services is with other EU countries.
Eight of your top ten trading partners are EU member states.
One seventh of all UK income and production is linked to trade with other EU members.
Over three million jobs in the UK are linked to exports to the EU.
The EU forms the largest single market in the world and accounted for 40 per cent of global trade in 2004. There are over 450 million people in this market for EU businesses.
100,000 Britons work in other EU countries, and another 350,000 live in those countries.
Single market competition has halved the price of air travel within Europe.
The price of international phone calls has fallen within the EU by 80 per cent since 1984.
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Europe is vital for UK business.
Half your trade and millions of UK jobs are linked to the EU. The single market offers tariff-free access to over 450 million consumers - a bigger trading area than the US and Japan combined.
UK business has a great deal to gain - in terms of jobs and new investment - from an enlarged, open and competitive market across Europe, as do European consumers across the Union.
The single market allows European citizens to live and work anywhere they want in the EU. More than � million Britons live in another EU member country.
Europe is vital for UK business.
Half your trade and millions of UK jobs are linked to the EU. The single market offers tariff-free access to over 450 million consumers - a bigger trading area than the US and Japan combined.
UK business has a great deal to gain - in terms of jobs and new investment - from an enlarged, open and competitive market across Europe, as do European consumers across the Union.
The single market allows European citizens to live and work anywhere they want in the EU. More than � million Britons live in another EU member country.
Millions of British holidaymakers travelling in the EU are fully covered for any emergency hospital treatment they may require.
Pet passports, introduced in 2001, mean British travellers can take their pets with them when they go abroad for work or on holiday.
Over 300,000 people are drawing their UK state pensions in another member state, mostly Spain and Ireland.
EU pressure has improved UK water bathing quality: 98 per cent of the UK's beaches now comply with the EU Bathing Water Directive's standards.
It has helped us to cut carbon emissions and reduced acid rain (the UK has cut sulphur emissions by 73 per cent between 1990 and 2002).
The EU has introduced a framework to improve air quality further.
Competition in the single market has helped to improve product quality, increase variety and keep prices down. EU membership has brought down the price of international phone calls and air travel within the EU.
All food products must carry "best before" markings, price indicators and a list of ingredients, colourings and additives which they contain.
The EU Eco-label gives information about the most environmentally friendly products.
EU consumer law (similar to UK statutory consumer rights) applies wherever goods are bought in the European Union. EU-wide car safety rules ensure cars meet high standards in protecting occupants.
Existing and proposed measures for disabled people include ensuring disabled access to all public places and working with airports and airlines to allow passengers with reduced mobility better access to flights.
Under EU law it is illegal to discriminate in the workplace on the grounds of sex, race or ethnic origin, religion, belief, disability, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.
From 2006, EU legislation outlaws unjustified discrimination in employment on the basis of age.
Pet passports, introduced in 2001, mean British travellers can take their pets with them when they go abroad for work or on holiday.
Over 300,000 people are drawing their UK state pensions in another member state, mostly Spain and Ireland.
EU pressure has improved UK water bathing quality: 98 per cent of the UK's beaches now comply with the EU Bathing Water Directive's standards.
It has helped us to cut carbon emissions and reduced acid rain (the UK has cut sulphur emissions by 73 per cent between 1990 and 2002).
The EU has introduced a framework to improve air quality further.
Competition in the single market has helped to improve product quality, increase variety and keep prices down. EU membership has brought down the price of international phone calls and air travel within the EU.
All food products must carry "best before" markings, price indicators and a list of ingredients, colourings and additives which they contain.
The EU Eco-label gives information about the most environmentally friendly products.
EU consumer law (similar to UK statutory consumer rights) applies wherever goods are bought in the European Union. EU-wide car safety rules ensure cars meet high standards in protecting occupants.
Existing and proposed measures for disabled people include ensuring disabled access to all public places and working with airports and airlines to allow passengers with reduced mobility better access to flights.
Under EU law it is illegal to discriminate in the workplace on the grounds of sex, race or ethnic origin, religion, belief, disability, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.
From 2006, EU legislation outlaws unjustified discrimination in employment on the basis of age.
What have British workers gained?
The single market means that UK professional qualifications, in law, medicine, architecture, veterinary services and many other sectors are recognised in all EU member states. Advice about recognition procedures can be found at Europe Open for Professions website
All British citizens, from professors to construction workers, are free to work in any EU member state. A Europe-wide agency, EURES, helps job seekers match their skills to opportunities all over the EU.
The European Job Mobility portal offers extensive details for people thinking about working in other EU countries.
EU social legislation has ensured that basic employment rights are enjoyed by millions of workers across Europe.
The single market means that UK professional qualifications, in law, medicine, architecture, veterinary services and many other sectors are recognised in all EU member states. Advice about recognition procedures can be found at Europe Open for Professions website
All British citizens, from professors to construction workers, are free to work in any EU member state. A Europe-wide agency, EURES, helps job seekers match their skills to opportunities all over the EU.
The European Job Mobility portal offers extensive details for people thinking about working in other EU countries.
EU social legislation has ensured that basic employment rights are enjoyed by millions of workers across Europe.
Yeah it has helped me as well although I was always pro -the only con I have is that we seem to be the last man standing when people are seeking asylum (and no its not a different topic) -it is part of the EU objective but if France dont want them (and by the time they have got here we can safely assume that no-one else wants them) then we are the last option and i'm afraid that is my biggest bugbear in this country at this time.
Awaits the barrage......yikes !!!
Awaits the barrage......yikes !!!
It appears that 'Whickerman' may be 'spouting the party line'.
Masses of comments with nothing to back them up.
!00,000 Brits working in other member states, Yes, but how many from other member states working here? (legally ot otherwise)
Half of our trade is linked to EU, Ok, that's possible, but what percentage of our sales, and what percentage of our purchases? (Does this help our balance of payments?)
Without answers to these, and many similar questions we only get a partial view. The above comments by Whickerman are often repeared, but never clarified by those who may have a pecuniary interest in keeping us in the EU (such as MEPs and all the others on the EU 'Gravy Train')
Masses of comments with nothing to back them up.
!00,000 Brits working in other member states, Yes, but how many from other member states working here? (legally ot otherwise)
Half of our trade is linked to EU, Ok, that's possible, but what percentage of our sales, and what percentage of our purchases? (Does this help our balance of payments?)
Without answers to these, and many similar questions we only get a partial view. The above comments by Whickerman are often repeared, but never clarified by those who may have a pecuniary interest in keeping us in the EU (such as MEPs and all the others on the EU 'Gravy Train')
Have to go now, but just to rty answer Tinker in real terms - this from your Foreign Office:
It is estimated that the real direct cost of the EU to the UK is about �50* per head per year.
But it's also estimated that EU membership is worth about �300** per head per year to the UK economy as a whole, through increased trade, lower cross border costs and so on.
In other words, membership is certainly a good financial investment for the UK.
Many of the benefits of EU membership are also not directly financial.
Better cross-border co-operation can create real benefits in areas like security or policies on climate change.
But if the financial equations did not add up, then the other areas of co-operation would have been much harder to achieve.
The EU is a complex entity and so are its finances. But there�s no real doubt that our membership brings economic as well as less tangible benefits. The challenge is to ensure that those benefits are maximised in the changing conditions of the world.
It is estimated that the real direct cost of the EU to the UK is about �50* per head per year.
But it's also estimated that EU membership is worth about �300** per head per year to the UK economy as a whole, through increased trade, lower cross border costs and so on.
In other words, membership is certainly a good financial investment for the UK.
Many of the benefits of EU membership are also not directly financial.
Better cross-border co-operation can create real benefits in areas like security or policies on climate change.
But if the financial equations did not add up, then the other areas of co-operation would have been much harder to achieve.
The EU is a complex entity and so are its finances. But there�s no real doubt that our membership brings economic as well as less tangible benefits. The challenge is to ensure that those benefits are maximised in the changing conditions of the world.
I would hazrd a guess Whickerman that you are part of the EU and if I am correct them ny husband worked in your country for a goo few years and boy the people there could tell a tale ot two about the immigrants.
If I am wrong then I am referring to Eire -I was across there -in Longford as it happens and there was an astonishing amount of immigrants in that town alone -the government housed them before their own and even gave them money for cars.One old gent in the pub -lived there all his life suddenly hasd to face men arriving day and night at the neighbouring house -it was a brothel -he was sincerely baffled.
Its only now that my neck of the wood in rural Scotland have started the inlux and sad to say they dont integrate and are actually downright rude and hostile.I never thought I would ever be posting anything like this but its from personal experience -thats just the gist of it BTW.
We are suckers her -but I think Eire were suckered in first.
If I am wrong then I am referring to Eire -I was across there -in Longford as it happens and there was an astonishing amount of immigrants in that town alone -the government housed them before their own and even gave them money for cars.One old gent in the pub -lived there all his life suddenly hasd to face men arriving day and night at the neighbouring house -it was a brothel -he was sincerely baffled.
Its only now that my neck of the wood in rural Scotland have started the inlux and sad to say they dont integrate and are actually downright rude and hostile.I never thought I would ever be posting anything like this but its from personal experience -thats just the gist of it BTW.
We are suckers her -but I think Eire were suckered in first.
Hi dris, yes i'm Irish, and we do have a large immigrant population.
There are 2 types - EU citizens, and others. (Don't want to change the thread, but i need to answer your comments, hope that's ok).
You're talking about economic and social immigrants from outside the EU, and just like the UK we get the faked asylum seekers etc, but they are allowed to claim asylum under UN laws, not just EU ones. I'm sorry to say that a common misconception was that ols story about cars etc being given to them. In fact, an asylum seeker is given housing in a 'full board' facility - they get what they're given for food and that's it. As for cash, they receive exactly �19.10 per week and �9.60 per week for each child. This is to cover clothing, toiletries, and all expenses. Hardly a fortune - that works out as �14.27 a week - would you cross the world to get that...?
http://www.ria.gov.ie/coming_to_ireland_as_an_ asylum_seeker/
There are 2 types - EU citizens, and others. (Don't want to change the thread, but i need to answer your comments, hope that's ok).
You're talking about economic and social immigrants from outside the EU, and just like the UK we get the faked asylum seekers etc, but they are allowed to claim asylum under UN laws, not just EU ones. I'm sorry to say that a common misconception was that ols story about cars etc being given to them. In fact, an asylum seeker is given housing in a 'full board' facility - they get what they're given for food and that's it. As for cash, they receive exactly �19.10 per week and �9.60 per week for each child. This is to cover clothing, toiletries, and all expenses. Hardly a fortune - that works out as �14.27 a week - would you cross the world to get that...?
http://www.ria.gov.ie/coming_to_ireland_as_an_ asylum_seeker/
Thanks for your reply Whickerman -daresay the 'car' story was just one of those fables to add weight to their chagrin.
Would I cross the world for it?
Well there must be something in it for them because that is precisely what they are doing -maybe by augmenting their benefits on the side (so to speak -lol) .
Wix -thanks for an interesing thread and i'm sorry I kinda went off on a slight tangent.
Would I cross the world for it?
Well there must be something in it for them because that is precisely what they are doing -maybe by augmenting their benefits on the side (so to speak -lol) .
Wix -thanks for an interesing thread and i'm sorry I kinda went off on a slight tangent.
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