Brexit could add two years to austerity, IFS says

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Series Details 25.05.16
Publication Date 25/05/2016
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Leaving the EU could directly free up about £8 billion a year, which is the UK’s likely net contribution to the EU budget over the next few years. This would help the public finances. But the overall public finance impact would depend on the economic effects of the UK leaving the EU. A fall in national income of 0.6%, relative to what it otherwise would have been, would be enough to offset this direct effect.

There is near consensus that leaving the EU would have a greater negative effect on the UK’s economy than that. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, whose comprehensive analysis has produced estimates that are in the middle of the available range, suggests GDP in 2019 could be between 2.1% and 3.5% lower as a result of a Brexit. A hit to GDP of this magnitude would imply a hit to the public finances, after taking account of the reduced EU contribution, of between £20 billion and £40 billion in 2019–20.

These are among the main findings of a new report published on the 25 May 2016 and funded by the ESRC’s UK in a Changing Europe initiative. The report examines both the direct and indirect effects of Brexit on the UK’s public finances, based on a comprehensive review of studies analysing the short- and long- term economic effects of Brexit.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36371700
Related Links
ESO: Background information: HM Treasury analysis: The immediate economic impact of leaving the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/hm-treasury-analysis-the-immediate-economic-impact-of-leaving-the-eu/
ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/
IFS: Press Release, 25.05.16: Brexit could add two years to austerity http://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/8297
Politico, 25.05.16: Brexit could add two years to UK austerity: think tank http://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-could-add-two-years-to-uk-austerity-think-tank-eu-referendum-uk-date-june-23-vote/
The Guardian, 25.05.16: IFS warns Brexit would extend austerity for two more years https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/25/ifs-brexit-extend-austerity-budget-deficit-eu-referendum
Britain Stronger in Europe, 25.05.16: Director of the IFS warns: you cannot get a better trading relationship outside EU http://www.strongerin.co.uk/director_of_the_ifs_warns_you_cannot_get_a_better_trading_relationship_outside_eu#kBIg7Ara7y3be4uV.97
The Conversation, 25.05.16: Which Brexit forecast should you trust the most? An economist explains https://theconversation.com/which-brexit-forecast-should-you-trust-the-most-an-economist-explains-59992
Blog: UK in a Changing Europe, 25.05.16: Brexit could add two years to austerity http://ukandeu.ac.uk/brexit-could-add-two-years-to-austerity/
Blog: IFS, 06.06.16: Brexit would not make £8bn available for the NHS http://www.ifs.org.uk/about/blog/346
The Conversation, 08.06.16: Why Brexit supporters should take an EU-turn – just like I di https://theconversation.com/why-brexit-supporters-should-take-an-eu-turn-just-like-i-did-60605

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