EU and Commonwealth case study

Question 1

How does the UK impact the wider world?

Answer 1

TRADE: long trading heritage resulted in development of major sea and airports
CULTURAL: migrants have brought own cultural characteristics
TRANSPORT: links to mainland Europe through Channel Tunnel
INTERNET: British television is worth over £1.23 billion a year

Question 2

What are the positive impacts of EU membership?

What are the negative impacts of EU membership?

Answer 2

• Single Payment Scheme supports farmers, wildlife and the environment, £18 mill spent in 2015
• European funds (eg European Structural Fund) support regional developments in UK
• many EU laws affect work and product production which can seem restrictive
• many migrants work in factories and farming for long hours but low wages

Question 3

What are the advantages of leaving the EU?

What are the disadvantages?

Answer 3

• leaves UK to create own policies
• allows UK to control international borders and who becomes citizen
• lose access to free trade within EU market
• lose access to the free movement of people

Question 4

How could being a member of the Commonwealth benefit the UK?

Answer 4

• regular meetings
• increased aid between countries
• Commonwealth games create strong cultural and social links between countries
• strong political and economical links with 50 countries around the world
• provide opportunities for businesses to become involved