Policy paper

The best of both worlds: the United Kingdom's special status in a reformed European Union (Archived)

This document explains why the UK will be stronger, safer and better off by remaining as a member of a reformed EU.

From:
Cabinet Office, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, and The Rt Hon Lord Cameron
Published
22 February 2016

Documents

The best of both worlds: the United Kingdom’s special status in a reformed European Union - web version

Ref: ISBN 9781474128834

PDF, 872 KB, 45 pages

The best of both worlds: the United Kingdom’s special status in a reformed European Union - print version

Ref: ISBN 9781474128827

PDF, 1.91 MB, 48 pages

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Y gorau o’r ddau fyd: statws arbennig y Deyrnas Unedig mewn Undeb Ewropeaidd diwygiedig

PDF, 634 KB, 50 pages

Details

Since the May 2015 general election, the government has worked towards changing our relationship with the European Union in advance of a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.

At the 18 to 19 February 2016 European Council, the government secured a new settlement for the UK in a reformed EU, which is irreversible without our consent. This settlement secures all the UK’s objectives set out by the Prime Minister, and gives the UK a special status within the EU, as well as setting the EU on a path of long-term reform.

This document covers the 4 areas of the settlement:

  • economic governance
  • competitiveness
  • sovereignty
  • welfare

It also looks at how the settlement is legally-binding agreement and covers wider protections and opt-outs. It explains why the UK will be stronger, safer and better off by remaining a member of a reformed EU.

This publication was presented to Parliament in accordance with section 6 of the European Union Referendum Act 2015.

Published 22 February 2016