Brexit: What are the pros and cons of leaving the EU
The arguments for and against membership of the European Union
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Brexiters argue leaving the EU will result in an immediate cost saving, as the country will no longer contribute to the EU budget
In 2016, Britain paid in £13.1bn, but it also received £4.5bn worth of spending, says Full Fact, "so the UK's net contribution was £8.5bn".
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What's harder to determine is whether the financial advantages of EU membership, such as free trade and inward investment (see below) outweigh the upfront costs.
Click through to read the pros and cons of Brexit on trade.
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