The single European market created more opportunities than threats for UK businesses

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The single European market created more opportunities than threats for UK businesses. To what extent do you agree with this view?

The Single Market came into effect in January 1993 and works on the basis of four freedoms, the free movement of goods, labour, services and capital throughout the EU. This means, for example, that companies can buy and sell goods without them being subject to barriers of trade, that people can work in any member state with their qualifications recognized, that services such as banking may be used across member states, and that capital and currencies can move freely. All member states of the EU are part of the Single Market, even if they have not joined the Euro.

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Although many threats have become apparent to UK businesses there have also been many opportunities. A wider market is accessible for both producers and consumers. There are now for example, over 500 million consumers in the EU following the enlargement in May 2004. The new larger market must also have benefited internet shoppers, as people will trust EU countries rather than wanting to buy products from the Far East for example, and products purchased from some EU countries are likely to be much cheaper in price. A reason for the lower prices could also be due to an increase in ...

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