It is estimated the 3.5 million British jobs are dependent on Britain's membership of the EU. (Source: UK Jobs Dependent on the EU)
The UK has been allocated a total of 15.5billion of European Structural Funds for 2000 - 2006. Over the same period, the UK has also been allocated 120 million for Fisheries Guidance and 961 million for Community Initiatives.(Source: EU development)
- A Louder International Voice
By working together in the EU member countries can ensure their concerns are heard, and taken more seriously, on the international stage. When the EU speaks it represents about 400 million people .This is more than the combined population of the United States & Russia. (Source: EU official website)
- Greater Protection for Workers:
The European Working Time Directive is an EU initiative designed to protect workers from exploitation by employers.
The directive lays down regulations on matters such as how many breaks an employee can take, and how many holidays they are entitled to each year. It also aims to limit the average time an employee can be compelled to work to 48 hours a week. (source:Bized)
- Greater Equality and Social Inclusion:
Through EU directives citizens are protected from employment discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, disability and age.
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Protection of the Environment:
The Environment knows no border and so the only effective way to tackle environmental pollution is through international co-operation and action. Britain has cleaner water, cleaner air and cleaner beaches because of action at the EU level
- Greater Co-operation in Law Enforcement:
EU co-operation is helping to crack down on terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime.
Disadvantages of European Monetary Union?
- Too Many Rules and Regulations:
There are a great deal of rules and regulation, some of which don't seem sensible. This can make the EU inefficient and excessively bureaucratic. (source:Economics)
- Unaccountable to its Citizens
Decisions are taken a long way from the people, making it a poor example of democracy. People who are affected by EU decisions have little chance to make their voices heard.
EU institutions have too much power. They have taken away the right of individual countries to make their own decisions about economic and political matters. (source:Tutor2u.net)
The EU is moving towards more and more integration at a phenomenal rate with not enough thought or debate on the issues. The UK risks being swept by this tide of integration without plotting and following its own course in the interest of its own citizens.
Membership of the EU has led the UK to lose its sovereignty. As a result the UK is no longer free to develop its own policies, make its own laws, or control its own economy in response to its own needs. (source: economics)
Bibliography
Eu development
UK Jobs Dependent on the EU
EU official website
Economics- John Sloman
Business Environment- Dr Phil Drrummond
