UK eurosceptics warned: EU membership boosts trade by 30%

According to the CER, Britain's trade in goods with other EU member-states was 55% higher than would be expected given their output, proximity and other traits. This translates to a 30% boost in goods trade under EU membership.

"Any decision about leaving the EU must be based on an appraisal of what Britain would be leaving: the EU has successfully reduced trade barriers with the many rich economies on Britain's doorstep. An exit would imperil those gains," said John Springford, one of the report's authors.

Simon Tilford, a report co-author, added "outside the EU, the UK would face a difficult dilemma: it would have to negotiate access to the EU's single market in exchange for continued adherence to its rules. "British eurosceptics would like to leave the EU in order to re-establish regulatory sovereignty: but they must accept that Britain would have less access to the European markets as a result."