EU return could cost Britain £39.3bn a year, campaign group estimates

A study by the campaign group Stay Out estimates that rejoining the EU could cost the UK £39.3 billion a year, or about £756 million a week. The figure is based on the EU’s larger budget, new green levies and the prospect that Britain would not regain the rebate negotiated by Margaret Thatcher; it is more than twice the £350 million weekly figure debated during the 2016 referendum.

The estimate comes amid uncertainty over the Government’s plans for closer EU ties. The Prime Minister has said an upcoming UK-EU summit could begin a national conversation, while stressing that any decision on further changes would be made by Cabinet and that the public would decide on fundamental changes. A proposed food and farming deal would reduce some export checks but require the UK to adopt new EU rules; a parliamentary report says this could mean around 780 laws a year.