British teenagers more positive than adults about EU membership and free movement of people
Politicians calling for a referendum should clarify their view on a proposed voting age
– Business for New Europe
Independent research commissioned by Business for New Europe shows that British teenagers aged 14 to 17 tend to be more positive than adults about EU membership and the free movement of people.
Young people have the most at stake in Britain’s future relationship with Europe, and could play a critical role in any referendum on EU membership. The Conservative Party has promised an in/out referendum in 2017 if it wins the next general election, though it has not specified a voting age. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have said they would only hold a referendum if the UK was being asked to transfer more powers to Brussels.
Business for New Europe, the business group that makes the positive economic case for EU membership, today called on politicians that favour a referendum on EU membership to consider allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote as they did in this year’s referendum in Scotland.
The research for Business for New Europe was conducted by YouGov, an independent polling company. Key findings include:
- If there was a referendum, approximately twice as many of those aged 14 to 17 would vote to stay in the EU (45%) as leave (23%). This compares with 38% of adults preferring to stay in, and 41% preferring to leave.
- There was a divide within the 14-to-17 age group, with 33% of younger respondents aged 14 and 15 saying they did not know how they would vote on EU membership. Slightly older respondents aged 16 and 17 were more engaged, with only 15% saying they didn’t know. The older respondents were also more in favour of EU membership, with 56% saying they would vote in favour and 20% against, compared with figures for the younger group of 34% in favour and 26% against.
- More young people believe that Britain would be worse off economically if it left the EU (36%) than better off (22%).
- The young people were more likely to say that immigrants contribute positively to Britain’s way of life. In the poll, 51% said they contribute positively, compared with 29% who said they do not. This compares with 39% of adults saying they contribute positively, and 44% saying they do not.
- The teenagers surveyed were more likely than adults to support the right of people to live and work wherever they want in the EU. The research found that 47% said they supported this right, with just 28% opposed. This compares with 44% of adults supporting and 42% opposing.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“Young people could play a critical role if Britain has a referendum on EU membership. The people surveyed are voters of tomorrow, and have much at stake. If Britain remains within the EU, they will have better employment prospects and enjoy higher economic growth. Politicians should reflect young peoples’ interests and views.
“The polling shows that young people are more likely to favour EU membership and see its economic benefits. They are more supportive of the right of people to live where they choose within the EU. They are also more likely to think immigration has been good for the economy, that immigrants make a positive contribution to Britain’s way of life, and be happy if an immigrant family moves in next door. Young people appear more tolerant, open and happy with modern Britain.
“The politicians who are calling for a referendum on our EU membership should consider allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote as they did in the referendum on Scottish independence.”
Full tables of the poll can be found here.
Business for New Europe responds to David Cameron's speech on immigration
“We are concerned about seeming to threaten the EU with the possibility of British exit.”
- Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“The Prime Minister was right to recognise the economic benefits of migration, but wrong to pursue policies that would require treaty change. Treaty changes will prove impossible to achieve, and might hamper efforts to pursue reforms that would bring bigger benefits to the economy, such as completing the single market, especially for services.
“It’s also vital that the Prime Minister’s policy calls do not become a stepping stone to exit from the EU. The CBI has estimated that EU membership benefits the UK economy by between £62bn and £78bn a year. That’s equivalent to £1,225 a year for every citizen in the country.
“We do not have to choose between the huge economic benefits of EU membership and effective immigration policies. Rather, we need immigration policies that work, but which also allow us to enjoy the advantages of EU membership. These can be achieved using domestic policies, as we have set out.
“We are concerned about seeming to threaten the EU with the possibility of British exit. The Prime Minister is right that you do not start a conversation with the word ‘no’, but starting one with a threat is also less likely to succeed.”
Business for New Europe earlier this week published its own proposals on addressing short-term pressures caused by migration titled Managing Migration: A Practical Approach. Copies can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/1Fq6A6D
Business for New Europe welcomes European Commission's investment package
“This shows that Juncker gets the need to kickstart the European economy by boosting investment.”
– Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe
Business for New Europe, the business group that makes the positive economic case for EU membership, today welcomed the €315bn (£249bn) Investment Plan set out by the European Commission. However, it said that the European Union must press ahead with other measures to increase investment and economic growth including capital markets union.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“This shows that Juncker gets the need to kickstart the European economy by boosting investment. We particularly welcome the emphasis on SMEs, which create eight out of 10 jobs in Europe.
“Measures like this show the role the European Commission can play in creating a coordinated response to get economies moving again and create jobs. This is vital given the economic interdependence of countries in Europe.
“For example, this investment programme will not just increase investment in the UK directly, but also boost the British economy by stimulating growth across Europe, which is by far our largest export market.
“The EU and its member states also need to press ahead with reforms. In particular, they should drive forward capital markets union, comprising a series of measures to improve the flow of finance across Europe to increase investment and growth, and take steps to complete the single market, especially in services.”
Business for New Europe responds to Clegg's proposals to back benefit curbs
“Politicians must be forthright when explaining the benefits of the single market, and practical when taking steps to address migration concerns.”
– Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe
Business for New Europe, the business group that makes the positive economic case for EU membership, today welcomed the proposals put forward by Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, in the Financial Times.
Its comments precede the launch later today of its own proposals on immigration in a report titledManaging Migration: A Practical Approach.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“Nick Clegg makes a series of points that are very relevant, as well as making specific policy proposals. In particular, he starts by recognising that Britain’s membership of the EU and the single market bring great economic benefits to the country. Indeed, the CBI has estimated that EU membership benefits the UK economy by between £62bn and £78bn a year. That’s equivalent to £1,225 a year for every citizen in the UK.
“He also recognises that we need to address concerns about migration, while also maintaining a sense of proportion. He rightly points out that immigrants ‘overwhelmingly’ come here to work and pay taxes, but also that the rules must be seen to be fair. We welcome his proposals that only migrants who have worked and contributed in the UK should receive the new Universal Credit, and that the earnings threshold to receive in-work benefits should be raised.
“Such proposals recognise that the British government can address immigration concerns using domestic policy. This is a much better and more practical approach than trying to renegotiate treaties in Brussels, which would probably fail, would further damage our relations with other EU countries, and be very time consuming.
“Politicians must be forthright when explaining the benefits of the single market, and practical when taking steps to address migration concerns. We are adopting the same approach in our policy recommendations, which will be issued later today.”
Business for New Europe proposes measures to address short-term migration pressures
“The solutions to migration pressures will be found at home, not in Brussels.”
– Alisdair McIntosh, Business for New Europe.
Business for New Europe, the business group that makes the positive economic case for EU membership, today published a report calling for the government to take a series of practical steps to address short-term immigration pressures.
The proposed measures would retain the benefits of free movement of people, be relatively simple to implement, and would not require changes in EU treaties - which might be impossible to achieve.
The report, titled Managing Migration: A Practical Approach, also clarifies the true level of immigration in the UK, which is less than some people believe. For example, it highlights statistics showing that the proportion of non-nationals in the UK is currently 7.7% of the population, which is lower than 10 other EU states including Germany (9.4%) and Spain (10.9%). It also emphasises that EU migrants come to the UK to work. For example, only 2.5% of the people claiming jobseeker’s allowance are EU migrants.
The 10 simple, practical measures proposed include: reintroducing a Migration Impacts Fund to help local authorities facing particular pressures; collecting data on the use of public services by different nationalities to provide better information on the impact of migration; and more clearly defining migrants to make statistics more informative by excluding Britons returning to the UK, and students who will likely to return to their country of origin.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“The government can and should take simple, practical steps to address the short-term pressures caused by the free movement of people within the EU. This common-sense approach is likely to succeed, and is compatible with our membership of the EU, which brings great economic benefits to Britain. Our report shows that the solutions to migration pressures will be found at home, not in Brussels.
“The measures we propose would also help set the issue of migration in a proper context, and help people to better understand it. For example, most people do not realise that there are substantially more immigrants as a share of the population in 10 other EU countries including Germany and Spain.”
The 10 proposals set out in Managing Migration: A Practical Approach are:
1. Provide a clearer definition of who counts as a migrant
2. Introduce entry and exit checks at the border
3. Track citizenship in the use of public services to provide better data on the impact of migration
4. Introduce a resident registration system to better allocate resources
5. Extend the residency requirement of the Habitual Residence Test
6. Provide financial support for local authorities to balance pressures caused by immigration
7. Create incentives for business to reduce reliance on migrants and build local skill bases
8. Improve government communication about measures to address immigration pressures
9. Take tough enforcement action to protect local workforces and immigrants alike
10. Increase the supply of affordable housing.
Fuller details of each of the proposals can be found in the full report. Copies can be downloaded here:http://bit.ly/1Fq6A6D
Business for New Europe reacts to Owen Paterson speech on EU membership
Business for New Europe, the business group that makes the positive economic case for EU membership, today responded to the speech by Owen Paterson MP concerning Britain’s membership of the European Union.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“His speech is misguided and misleading. Leaving the EU would damage the British economy at a critical time. Membership of the EU gives us access to the single market, boosts exports, and makes the UK a far more attractive destination for investment. Research by the CBI last year suggested that EU membership benefits the UK economy by between £62bn and £78bn every year. That’s equivalent to £1,225 a year for every citizen in the UK.
“Invoking article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty would set in motion a process where the only outcome would be the UK’s exit from the EU. Quite apart from this being extremely damaging for the British economy, the process itself would create massive problems and uncertainties. As a result, both British and foreign-owned companies would find it very difficult to plan for the future, and be less likely to invest in the UK.
“Our economy would suffer as our diplomacy floundered. It would be impossible to negotiate the things that matter most to business while also negotiating to leave. Nobody is likely to agree to proposals from the UK to improve conditions for business in Europe, and to reform and improve the EU, if we have said that we intend to leave.
“This is not a good tactic. You don’t negotiate with someone by turning your back to them. Instead, we must pursue a constructive reform agenda, to complete the single market to benefit our service sector, promote international trade and enterprise, and streamline the EU to increase efficiency and competitiveness.
"The idea that the British people should be invited to decide whether we stay in the EU or leave following an agreement on the terms of our exit is plainly a nonsense."
For further information, or for interview opportunities, please contact Business for New Europe via the contact details below.
Business for New Europe comments on ECJ ruling on welfare benefits
Business for New Europe today commented on the ruling by the European Court of Justice that member states can refuse access to social benefits for "economically inactive" EU citizens. The Court's ruling can be found here.
BNE Director Alisdair McIntosh said:
"This welcome ruling underlines the fact that there is room for manoeuvre within EU law for the UK to restrict access to our welfare system."
"The conditions under which the UK can deny migrants access to welfare are clearly set out in EU law, and the Court's decision is a welcome clarification that strengthens these provisions."
"But we have to see the politically hot and sensitive issue of 'benefit tourism' in context. According to Oxford University's Migration Observatory, only 2.5% of EU migrants in Britain claim Jobseeker's Allowance. The vast majority come to work or study, and make a significant contribution to this country's finances. All too often, the scale of 'benefit tourism' is blown out of proportion in the political debate."
"It is only right that the UK takes action against people- whether from the UK or from other European countries- who seek to exploit our welfare system. The court ruling underlines that the UK has the ability to take action here at home, without having to try to change the rules at European level."
Approval of Juncker Commission clears the way for a new push to reform the EU
Business for New Europe, the business group that makes the positive economic case for EU membership, today commented on the approval by the European Parliament of the new European Commission, including Lord Hill as Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.
Members of the European Parliament voted with 423 in favour of the proposed commissioners, 209 against and 67 abstaining.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“This is good news, and sets the stage for both the UK and the EU to implement reform to create growth and jobs. The Commission now has a very strong team, a mandate for change from the European Council and both the commitment and the capability to improve the way the EU works. The new Commission features four former Prime Ministers and 16 former ministers. For example, Dutch former foreign minister Frans Timmermans has been made First Vice-President with a specific mandate to tackle over-regulation with the power of veto. This vote by MEPs endorses the vision of Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the Commission, who is streamlining EU structures to focus on results.
“The vote also approves the appointment of Lord Hill, which sends a positive message about the level of British influence and engagement in Brussels. Appointing a commissioner proposed by Britain to head up the financial services portfolio shows Jean-Claude Juncker’s willingness to respond to British concerns.
“It is also significant that Lord Hill is being specifically charged with developing capital markets union, which would encourage non-bank sources of finance for companies and help capital flow across national borders. This would help SMEs in particular across the EU to access finance, grow and create jobs.
“Now the crew is on board, it’s time to get the boat moving. The Commission must prioritise the completion of the single market, especially in services and the digital sector, reduce the regulatory burden on business and effectively negotiate free trade deals, in particular the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which would boost EU trade with the USA. This could be worth as much as £10 billion a year for the UK alone.”
Politicians need to lead from the front, not shout from the back
Business for New Europe today responded to polling by Ipsos MORI showing that 56% of people would vote to stay in the EU, with just 36% in favour of leaving. The full poll is available under this link.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“Many of the public recognise the important economic benefits of staying within the EU. Politicians are mistaken if they think people just want to hear ever-louder eurosceptic rhetoric, especially at a time of economic and political uncertainty. This only increases cynicism about the major political parties.
“Politicians need to lead from the front, not shout from the back. They need to set the agenda, and reflect the importance of EU membership to business and the economy. The way to promote prosperity in Britain is to secure realistic reforms of the EU.
"The government should fight for the reforms that matter most – those that will create growth and jobs. It should prioritise finishing the Single Market, especially in services, and make it fit for the digital age. Pushing for free trade deals with the US, Japan and other major players, and streamlining regulation to become more efficient, are also vital. These are the European reforms that will make the most difference for Britain."
Business for New Europe comments on Michael Moore MP's proposals to improve EU business
"A new Europe Business Minister could be a real step forward but they must be able to “knock heads together” in Whitehall"
- Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe.
Business for New Europe, the business group that makes the positive economic case for EU membership, today commented on the report by Michael Moore MP, who is EU Business Adviser to Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister.
The report, titled Doing Business Across Europe: A new Engagement, sets out proposals to make the UK’s engagement with the European Union more beneficial for the UK economy. The report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/doing-business-across-europe-a-new-engagement
Business for New Europe particularly welcomed the proposal to introduce a Europe Business Minister, so long as the individual has the authority and ability to make changes happen.
Alisdair McIntosh, Director of Business for New Europe, said:
“Implementing the recommendations in this report would send a reassuring message that the government is serious about delivering on a positive UK business agenda for the EU.
“In particular, the creation of a new Europe Business Minister could be a real step forward. But they must be a substantial figure with credibility in the business community, and be able to knock heads together in Whitehall.
“Business wants to see evidence that the government is giving priority to the EU reforms that matter most: those that will create jobs and growth. They want clarity on the business reform agenda, and commitment that it will be pursued with single-minded focus and energy.
“This is far more important than the increasingly strident rhetoric about immigration. Many politicians are paying too much attention to the short-term politics of EU reform, and too little to the economics or practicalities. Michael Moore’s report, in contrast, is a welcome step in the right direction.”