Whilst pro- and anti-EU membership campaigns continue to debate (no, argue is closer to the truth) the effect of a Brexit on the UK economy and employment prospects thereafter, unemployment currently, at least, declined further with the roll dropping by 28000 in the three month period from November 2015 to January 2016. This takes the official register for unemployed adults in the UK down to 1.68 million people; 5.1% of the workforce. The figure is the best rate of unemployment for a decade, i.e. before the Global Financial Crisis struck.
Those in favour of the UK leaving the EU seem to believe that reduced access to the UK's major export market would have no adverse effect on unemployment and may even create more jobs; the logic behind this position is far from clear.
If one of the other EU states believed that stalling a post exit trade deal with the UK could benefit their own industries or economy, the UK would have no protection. Any post Brexit trade deals with the EU would require the approval of all remaining members, of course. Frankfurt, for instance, is already a major financial centre within the heart of the Eurozone, but London remains a key financial hub because of the historic importance of the City and because the UK is an EU state. Germany could benefit strongly if UK access to the EU for financial services were impeded, potentially at least. It is a mystery as to why those who wish to see the UK leave the EU suppose that her former partners would agree deals as amicable as those currently in force when their own economies and workforces could benefit at the UK's expense. They also fail to take any account of the rancour and potential internal EU political considerations that would stem from a Brexit.
Unemployment within the Eurozone eased marginally in January from 10.4 to 10.3%, but there are enormous regional variations within the bloc (notably Greece and Spain). Some 16.65 million citizens are without work in the Eurozone – tempting to take some UK jobs if they are offered on a plate, no?
