THE North-East has received £740m from the EU and is to receive a further £700m over the next five years.

Much work has been done in the North-East through development agencies and One NorthEast to encourage investment in the North-East, in particular by developing business links with Germany and Scandinavia. 

Some 160,000 jobs in the North-East rely on trade with Europe. Investment from the EU results in the development of technology by various firms and universities.

How many people know that village halls in Tynedale have received funding from the EU, such as Bardon Mill, Greenhead, and Gilsland, as well as Bellingham library, Kielder observatory and camp site and Humshaugh community shop.

UK citizens have benefitted from many EU directives, such as the protection of workers’ rights in safety at work, limit of hours of work, holiday pay, maternity pay, equal rights, discrimination, rights of disabled people, for instance with regard to entry into buildings.

If we leave the EU, Westminster will have to pass legislation to replace these lost rights.

We work within the EU to tackle climate change and cut emissions. The UK benefits from environmental legislation and funding and supports vital scientific research.

Both young and old should consider the future for the young with Brexit. The risks are too great in leaving the EU, culturally, socially, economically, with crime and the UK security.

Nothing is perfect, but we won’t have any say if we leave the EU and we will still have to follow EU regulations as Norway does.

How will our relationships with our European friends so carefully built up over the years, be affected? Will they feel that we have abandoned

them?

RUTH BRAMFITT.

Secretary,

Hexham Town Twinning Association