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Britain in the 20th century

Britain joined the European Economic Community in 1973, which later became the European Union (EU) in 1992. The EU nations agreed on four economic freedoms - the free movement of:

• goods
• services
• labour
• capital

The free movement of labour within EU nations encouraged people from Britain to travel to EU states to work in banks and other service industries.

In 2004, less economically developed Eastern European nations, such as Poland, were granted membership to the EU.

• Poland had been in economic decline during the 1970s and 1980s and after the collapse of communism many well-trained young Poles chose to emigrate to find work.
• In 2004 thousands of Polish skilled workers migrated to Britain to find work as mechanics, electricians and plumbers and some also migrated to work in the National Health Service (NHS).
• Many returned to Poland later in the decade as opportunities for work in Poland increased.
• Migrants continued to arrive from Poland and many chose to settle and set up businesses and work in a number of sectors such as construction, engineering and healthcare.

Britain and the EU

People in Britain have taken advantage of the freedom of movement within the EU. There are approximately one million British citizens living in Spain, with another one million living in other countries within the EU.

The banking sector based in the City of London has profited from trade with EU nations as a result of the free movement of capital and services.

Membership of the EU has also had a major effect on our diet. Supermarkets throughout Britain stock food produced in France, Italy, Denmark and Ireland.

Public Opinion

Membership of the European Union divides public opinion in Britain. Those in favour are known as pro-Europeans, and argue that EU membership helps the British economy and improves relations with European countries. Those who oppose EU membership are known as Eurosceptics. They believe that Britain does not have enough control over its own affairs. In 2016 a referendum was held in which the British people voted by a narrow majority to leave the European Union.