WIREDGOV

Britain's membership of the European Union is shown to have had no positive impact on trade with other members in a detailed analysis of UK exports published by the cross-party think tank Civitas.  A study of British export figures since 1960 exposes the ‘empty rhetoric’ behind oft-repeated claims that the EU gives the UK an essential trade advantage.

Britain's trade with other EU nations accounts for no more of its trade with all leading economies than it did on joining the European Economic Community in 1973, the report shows.  Meanwhile, exports to non-EU nations Iceland, Norway and Switzerland have increased enormously over the same period.

• CIVITAS - Trade advantages of the EU are "imaginary"