Former UK Official Says UK Should Think About Rejoining EU
Former UK Official Says UK Should Think About Rejoining EU
Introduction
Philip Rycroft was a top official in the UK government for leaving the EU. He now says the UK should talk about joining the EU again. He says the promises of the Brexit campaign did not happen. Also, there are still problems with the rights of EU people in the UK and UK people in the EU.
Main Body
Rycroft wrote in a newspaper. He said the big promises of Brexit did not come true. For example, the UK did not get a big trade deal with the US. The economy got worse after leaving the EU. Some people in the Labour Party want closer ties with the EU. They want the UK to join the customs union or the single market. The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, says he does not want to rejoin the single market. But he wants closer ties. Also, a European meeting talked about problems for children of EU people in the UK. Some children did not ask for settled status. They may have to pay a lot for healthcare. The UK stopped money for charities that help EU people. The charities now work without pay. The UK government says it spent £32 million since 2019. It says fewer people need help now.
Conclusion
The debate about the UK and the EU continues. A former official wants the UK to think again about joining the EU. But problems with people''s rights are not solved. The government says it will not rejoin the single market. But some politicians want closer ties.
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Former Brexit Department Head Calls for Rethinking EU Membership Amid Rights Concerns
Introduction
Philip Rycroft, former head of the UK''s Department for Exiting the European Union, has publicly stated that Britain should start a discussion about possibly rejoining the EU. He pointed to unfulfilled promises from the Leave campaign and economic problems. At the same time, issues about the rights of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the EU continue, and funding for charities that help them has been stopped.
Main Body
Rycroft wrote in The Times that the ambitious promises of the Brexit campaign, such as a major trade deal with the United States and strong economic growth, have not come true. He noted that most economic studies show a significant drop in GDP after leaving the single market, and that the argument for re-entry ''is there to be won,'' although the process would be long and uncertain. His comments match a growing feeling within the Labour Party, where some cabinet ministers are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to seek closer ties with the EU, for example by joining a customs union or the single market. Starmer has previously said he is open to ''even closer alignment'' with the single market but has repeated that rejoining the single market or customs union is not being considered. In a separate development, a European parliament hearing discussed concerns about the rights of children born to EU citizens in the UK who may not have applied for settled status and could face high healthcare charges. Michal Meduna of the European Commission pointed out that the UK''s approach has serious effects on newborn children. The Home Office faced criticism for ending funding for charities that help vulnerable EU citizens with late settlement applications. The charity Settled says it receives hundreds of requests for advice each week without money from the Home Office. British in Europe, a coalition representing British citizens in the EU, stated that its main staff now work without pay and asked the UK government for funding. The UK government explained why it stopped the funding, pointing out that it had spent £32 million since 2019 and that fewer applications are now being made, with other support available through the settlement scheme resolution centre.
Conclusion
The debate about the UK''s relationship with the EU continues. A former senior official has called for a new look at membership, while practical problems with citizens'' rights and support services are still not solved. The government keeps its position against rejoining the single market or customs union, but there is growing political pressure from within to get closer to the EU.
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Former Brexit Department Head Advocates for Reconsideration of EU Membership Amid Ongoing Rights Concerns
Introduction
Philip Rycroft, former permanent secretary of the UK''s Department for Exiting the European Union, has publicly argued that Britain should begin a discussion about potentially rejoining the EU, citing unfulfilled promises of the Leave campaign and economic setbacks. Concurrently, issues regarding the rights of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the EU persist, with funding for support charities being terminated.
Main Body
Rycroft, writing in The Times, stated that the ambitious promises of the Brexit campaign, including a comprehensive trade deal with the United States and sustained economic growth, have not materialized. He noted that most economic analyses indicate a significant reduction in GDP following departure from the single market, and that the argument for re-entry is ''there to be won,'' though the process would be protracted and uncertain. His comments align with a growing sentiment within the Labour Party, where some cabinet ministers are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to pursue closer alignment with the EU, such as joining a customs union or the single market. Starmer has previously indicated openness to ''even closer alignment'' with the single market but has maintained that rejoining the single market or customs union is not under consideration. Separately, a European parliament hearing addressed concerns over the rights of children born to EU citizens in the UK who may not have applied for settled status, potentially facing high healthcare charges. Michal Meduna of the European Commission highlighted that the UK''s approach has significant consequences for newborn children. The Home Office was criticized for ending funding for charities assisting vulnerable EU citizens with late settlement applications. The charity Settled reports hundreds of weekly advice requests without Home Office funding. British in Europe, a coalition representing British citizens in the EU, stated that its principals now work unpaid and called for UK government funding. The UK government defended the funding cessation, noting £32 million spent since 2019 and that fewer applications are now being made, with alternative support available through the settlement scheme resolution centre.
Conclusion
The debate over the UK''s relationship with the EU continues, with a former senior civil servant advocating for a reassessment of membership, while practical challenges regarding citizens'' rights and support services remain unresolved. The government maintains its position against rejoining the single market or customs union, but internal political pressure for closer alignment persists.