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.