To help the public make an informed decision in the upcoming EU referendum, the government will send out a leaflet to every household across the UK from next week.
Independent polling carried out on behalf of the government showed that 85% of the public want more information from the government itself.
Environment Secretary, Liz Truss, said: This referendum will be a huge decision for our country, perhaps the biggest we will make in our lifetimes and it is crucial that the public have clear and accessible information. Independent polling carried out on behalf of the government made clear that 85% of people want more information from the government to help make an informed decision.
The document makes clear why EU membership brings economic security, peace and stability. It also sets out that if the UK voted to leave, the resulting economic shock would put pressure on the value of the pound, which would risk higher prices of some household goods.
The leaflet sets out the facts, explains why the government believes a vote to remain in the EU is in the best interests of the UK, and shows some of the choices the country would face if it were to leave. It also encourages the public to register to vote by the 7 June and directs them to where they can do this.
From 6pm this evening, we will also launch a stand alone website: EUreferendum.gov.uk which will feature the leaflet online and provide further information to the public. We will be advertising this on social media and other digital channels.
This follows precedents where the government published leaflets ahead of the EU referendum in 1975, the referendums on the creation of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in 1997, the creation of the mayoral system in London in 1998 and 2 UK government leaflets duringthe Scottish referendum into 2014.
The leaflet will be delivered to households in England from 11 to 13 April, ahead of their local election purdah and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland throughout the week commencing 9 May to avoid disrupting their pre-election period.
