Families in the UK will see their holiday bill to Europe rise by £230 ($335) if Britain splits from the EU, David Cameron has warned. The prime minister, speaking at Luton Airport on 24 May, also said a leave vote would affect the cost of vacations to popular destinations outside the EU, such as Florida.
The Conservative leader claimed prices would rise because the pound would fall by 12% after a Brexit, making travel in Europe and the rest of the world more expensive.
All the evidence points to the value of the pound falling after a vote to leave the EU. A weaker pound means peoples hard-earned savings wont go as far on holidays overseas, Cameron claimed.
The choice facing the British people on 23 June is increasingly clear, the certainty and economic security of remaining in the EU, or a leap in the dark that would raise prices – including the cost of a family holiday.
The prime minister used an analysis from the Treasury, which showed that on average, after two years, an holiday package for four would cost £230 more for eight nights in Europe. Cameron was introduced at the event by Carolyn McCall, the boss of easyJet.
For easyJet and our passengers membership of the EU has been a good thing, the chief executive said. The common aviation area created by the EU allows any European airline to fly anywhere in Europe. This has kept all airlines costs low and has enabled low fares airlines like easyJet to expand.
Cameron also stressed that mobile phone roaming charges across the EU will be completely abolished from June 2017. The arrangements are expected to benefit millions of UK holidaymakers and commuters.
Matthew Elliott, the chief executive of Vote Leave, said: Its remarkable to see the prime minister talking down our country and our economy day after day. Yesterday Nicola Sturgeon pleaded with the government to stop the negative campaigning, and urged them to stop making exaggerated claims that insult the publics intelligence. Clearly theyre not listening.
These threats lack credibility – the pound has actually been stable in recent months as the possibility of Brexit has increased. The truth is that leaving the EU will liberate the UK and allow us to do trade deals with countries like India and China – helping our economy to grow.
