EU Referendum: Judgement day

The imminent EU referendum is a vote that, it is widely agreed, will “define our society for generations”.

Not only does the political future of David Cameron seemingly rest on it – as well as those of Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and many others – but the repercussions across the country and the continent could be great.

With UK energy, climate change and environmental policy intimately intertwined with regulations that have come from Brussels, a vote to leave could dramatically change the landscape in which the UK utilities operate.

A remain vote would ensure that these rules and laws – which pro-EU campaigners claim Britain will help shape – continue to define the regulatory environment for companies based in this country.

With doomsday scenarios of imminent recession, limitless immigration and surrendered sovereignty all being laid before the electorate in the arguments for and against remaining in the EU, uncertainty rages over the shape of the future.

In a special report, Utility Week looks at some of the most pressing issues the referendum presents for the electricity, gas and water sectors, and assesses what comes next, whether or not we remain a part of the EU.

What might ‘Out’ look like?

If, come 10pm on 23 June, the British public has voted in favour of leaving the European Union, the next – and immediately pressing – question will be what ‘out’ path will the UK follow?

Read the full article here.

What Brexit means for water

European environmental and water directives have played a pivotal part in the development of today’s water sector.

Read the full article here.

As part of the special coverage of the EU referendum members of the government on either side of the debate have written exclusively for Utility Week.

Read Lord Bourne’s column on why the UK should remain part of the EU here.

Read Andrea Leadom’s column on the benefits the UK would gain by a vote to leave there EU here.

Find the full ten-page special report on the EU referendum here.