EU's negative impact
UK MANUFACTURING output has been in continuous decline since Britain joined the EU in 1973.
Since joining, the number of British manufacturing jobs has dropped from 7 million to 4 million.
In 1970 Britain ran a manufacturing trade surplus of 3 per cent of GDP, and that has gradually changed over the years into a manufacturing trade deficit of 4 per cent of GDP.
However it is measured, the EU has been very bad for British manufacturing.
Britain originally joined the Common Market in the hope that it would benefit British industry, but the opposite has been the case. Britain’s industrial output is now 15 per cent lower than it was when we joined the EU in 1973.
STEVE HALDEN Beaufort Green Swindon
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