letter to the editor from Richard Corbett MEP

03 August 2006

Yorkshire Evening Post

Dear Editor,

With over three quarters of British holidays abroad taken within the European Union, the summer provides a timely reminder of the advantages membership brings.

European legislation guarantees each and every worker in the EU, including temporary and part-time employees, 20 days paid holiday each year.

The EU's dedication to improving the environment is illustrated by the blue flag quality standard which has raised the cleanliness of beaches across the continent and means a pleasant swim whether you take a dip in Scarborough or San Tropez.

Thanks to the European Health Insurance Card all British citizens are eligible to free emergency health care while travelling within the EU; filling in an E111 form for each trip to Europe is now a thing of the past.

Pet passports mean your dog, cat, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit or chinchilla can join you on your holiday without the need for quarantine, providing they meet health and safety standards.

Most recently the EU has made moves to reduce the cost of using a mobile phone in other member states, while it has helped ensure sun lovers know whether their suncream protects them from skin cancer as well as sunburn.

What's more, freedom of movement laws mean that if you like where you've been in the EU, you are free to stay!

Richard Corbett

Labour MEP for Yorkshire & Humber
Blenheim Terrace, Leeds