EU referendum

Sir, There has been so much misinformation publicised by the Brexit campaign that I thought it might be helpful for those voters, who haven’t made their minds up yet how to vote, to outline some basic facts about the EU and the UK.

The EU is a union of sovereign nations linked by treaties.

UK government decides what taxes you pay and how they are spent.

The UK government also determines our policies and regulations relating to education, health care, housing, welfare, pensions, minimum wage, criminal justice, domestic infrastructure, culture and defence.

The UK government and Brussels share decision-making on foreign and trade policy.

The European Court of Justice does sometimes have precedent over our legal system but only on matters of EU law.

Britain has to allow EU citizens in but we can block entry on grounds of security.

EU immigrants are not a burden on the UK welfare system. They contribute more into the system than they take out.

Our membership of the EU costs less than 1p per pound of taxes on a net basis.

Better trade, better travel, study and research, deregulation of cross-border industries leading to cheaper flights, no roaming charges, more competitive in a single market leading to better quality of goods and lower prices are the benefits of being in the EU.

What we could lose by leaving the EU is difficult to say as it will depend on outcome of talks and negotiations. Our allies and friends think an exit is ill-advised and most probably will have a negative impact.

I hope some myths and fears have been dispelled about the EU and outlined the benefits our membership has for this country. I urge you to join me and vote in. Ursula Craig, Cove.