The facts: That is true in theory but to do so we would need to renegotiate separate terms with each of the member states. The new terms might well be less favourable than those we enjoy as a member. We would continue to have to abide by EU trade laws but would no longer have any say in them. Access to the Single Market would not give us access to agreements the EU has with other countries. These would have to be negotiated separately. We have no recent experience in trade negotiation. It could all take years and the outcome cannot be predicted. Uncertainty deters investors.

The facts: This is also true in theory. But in practice we shall continue to need outside skills for business and some of our public services. If we choose to resume business with the EU one condition is likely to be the free movement of people. This is the case for Norway and Switzerland. And under international law we shall also continue to accept applications from asylum seekers. There is therefore likely to be little change in the number of immigrants coming to the UK.

The facts: We would certainly be able to do this as far as EU laws are concerned.  But some pooling or sharing of sovereignty is a price we have been prepared to pay for achieving in cooperation with others what we cannot achieve on our own. Our membership of NATO is an example. To keep the so called loss of sovereignty in perspective, only two per cent of government spending is subject to EU rules, and we play a full part in framing those rules.  All the big areas of expenditure such as health, defence, education, welfare and transport are reserved to the UK government.

The facts: The impact of Brussels rules is exaggerated. There is a lot of regulation holding back UK business, but most of it relating to planning and infrastructure, comes from Westminster and local authorities, not Brussels. You need common rules for a common market. These rules are not troubling other member states such as Germany or Sweden. And the UK remains one of the best places to do business in. According to a World Bank report we are in the 97th percentile of nations in respect of our regulation of business.

The facts: Sharing intelligence with EU members helps us fight cross border crime and terrorism. The European Arrest Warrant, to which we have access as a member of the EU, makes it easier to deport dangerous criminals.

What documents do I need to take with me, apart from tickets, hotel reservations, itinerary etc ?

Answers

• Passport European
• Health Insurance
• Card Travel insurance
• Currency in euros
• Arrive Paris airport Charles de Gaulle. Show passport.

Note: Travellers from most other EU countries don’t have to show passports. That’s because they are signatories to the Schengen agreement that abolished border controls.

Evening flight to Barcelona. Bother! Flight delayed for two hours

What compensation can I claim when I get home?

Answer

Under EU Delayed Boarding Regulations,

• refreshments
• meals
• telephone calls

No need to change any money. Spain a member of the Euro zone.

Got bad stomach upset. Had to see doctor and get medicine.

What help can I get from my EU health card?

Answer

You will get the same state provided health care available to Spanish people. The visit to the doctor and medicine may be free or at reduced cost. If there is a charge it will be reimbursed either in Spain or on return to the UK.

Find hotel still being built and therefore no
room available. Had to find alternative hotel.

What compensation can I claim from the package tour company?

Answer

The cost of the alternative accommodation

Visiting Prague qallet stolen by pickpocket in Wenceslas Square. Fortunately, tickets, passport and some cash left in hotel.

What emergency number can I call to get the police?

Answer

112 from landline or mobile telephone.

Baggage damaged in transit. What compensation can I claim?

Answer

Cost of repair or replacement up to 1220 euros

Evening Eurostar train to London delayed by over one hour.

What compensation for the delay?

Answer

Reimbursed ticket and meal

Had to call home to advise of late arrival using my mobile. What has EU done to reduce roaming charges across the EU?

Answer

Charges have been reduced to zero in Europe in the last six years thanks to European Commission intervention. Receiving calls is free.

Arrive London, St Pancreas.

• Go through EU citizens channel that saves time.
• Bought some wine at Brussels train station but no need to declare because of EU free allowance of alcohol.

Indefinitely once you get a job. Until then you can only stay six months.

You will need to bring enough money with you to cover your living expenses for six months.

UK Border Controls will check you have enough when you arrive. If you don’t they will send you back.

Until you find somewhere permanent to live you will need to check in with your nearest police station every two weeks.

Some things you get when you arrive. Most you have to earn by residence.

As to health, you should register with your local medical practice when you arrive and you will get treatment if you fall ill.

But until you have a permanent place to live and have been resident for six months you will have to pay for treatment. Thereafter treatment is free of charge.

So you had better take out medical insurance before you leave.

To start with you will have to find somewhere to live yourself.

Once you have a permanent address you will be able to apply to join the local housing register.

Once on the register you can start to accumulate time on the register to qualify for so called social housing if that‘s what you want. It’s mostly rented with some units part owned.

But you won’t get a chance to bid for a house or flat until you have been in the country for six months.

Bids for social housing are processed with priority given to need and time on the housing register.

You will not be entitled to financial assistance with housing or offered accommodation if made homeless.

To qualify for housing benefit you will need two years residence and be on low income.

Once you get a job you will be entitled to the same in work benefits as other British citizens after you have been here for four years.

So, for example, when the time comes, if you are out of work because of illness or accident, you can claim income related employment and support allowances.

If you lose your job because of redundancy after being in the job for at least six months, you will be able to claim unemployment benefit that will last six months.

If you are unemployed and of working age you will be eligible for a job seekers allowance for six months. To get this you will have to register with Job Centre Plus. You will lose the allowance if you refuse to take a job that is available for which you are qualified.

If you are unemployed you cannot claim income support or income related employment and support allowance or pension credit.

I repeat that these benefits will not be available until you have completed four years of continuous residence.

Yes, several.

First, when it comes to getting a job, prospective employers will be required to recognise your professional qualifications that you have obtained in your home country.

When you get a job your employer will be obliged under EU law to limit your working hours to 48 per week unless your employer has been able to claim an exemption.

Your employer will be obliged to grant you four weeks holiday (20 days) per year.

If you have children of school age they will be entitled to attend primary or secondary schools for free near where you live if there are places. Otherwise they will have to travel to schools where places are available.

Once you have a permanent address and have been at that address for six months you will be entitled to vote in local government elections and European elections but not in national general elections.

You will acquire permanent residence after five years of continuous employment. To become a British citizen you will need to take a citizenship test that covers British culture including literature, history and institutions.