Poll shows increase in support for EU

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd Jun 2007

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP has welcomed a new "Eurobarometer" poll which shows that support for the EU is increasing.

The poll shows that the number of people in the UK who believe that the EU has had a positive impact upon their lives has gone up by 7% in just sixth months. Furthermore, 57% of people in the UK are optimistic about the future of the EU.

Commenting on the poll, Baroness Ludford said:

"People are becoming more aware of the benefits which the EU provides, such as cutting mobile phone roaming charges and forcing Thames Water to clean up the Thames. These improvements are real and tangible and this is reflected in the poll."

"There is still some way to go before the EU is fully capable of meeting the needs of modern society. However, this poll clearly shows that it working in the right direction, and that people are aware of its enormous benefits."