EU referendum: impact of an EU exit in key UK policy areas

This substantial paper (160 pages) looks at the current situation in a range of policy areas and considers how it might change if the UK left the EU: would UK citizens benefit? This would depend on how the Government filled any policy gaps left by withdrawal.

In some areas, the environment, for example, where the UK is bound by other international agreements, much of the content of EU law would probably remain. In others, the Government might decide to retain the substance of EU law, or to remove EU obligations from UK statutes.

Much would also depend on whether the UK sought to remain in the European Economic Area and therefore continue to have access to the single market, or preferred to go it alone and negotiate bilateral agreements with the EU.

There are sections covering:

Business and trade
+ Trade
+ Overall economic impact
+ Immigration and labour market
+ Business and financial services
+ Employment

Food and environment
+ Agriculture
+ Fisheries
+ Environment
+ Energy and climate change

Legal services
+ Human rights
+ Immigration
+ Police and justice co-operation

Society
+ Social security
+ Health
+ Higher education
+ Consumer policy
+ Transport

International affairs
+ Foreign and defence policy
+ International development

The devolved legislatures
+ Scotland
+ Wales
+ Northern Ireland

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

United Kingdom: House of Commons: Library: Topics > Crime, civil law, justice and rights > International law > EU law and treaties http://www.parliament.uk/topics/EU-law-and-treaties.htm

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