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.

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Documents

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

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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.

Updates to this page

Published 22 February 2016

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