Economy Key To EU Vote, Sky Survey Suggests

The economy will be key to David Cameron securing a "Yes" vote in the EU referendum, a Sky News survey suggests.

Nearly half of Britons said they would not vote to leave the European Union if it meant it would damage the UK economy.

The survey found 46% of people disagreed with the statement "I would vote to leave the European Union even if it damaged the UK economy", while 28% agreed.

It also found that 39% thought the EU was good for the economy.

However, more people thought that unemployment would be reduced if Britain left the European Union and felt that membership of the EU was a bad thing for unskilled workers.

Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 2,452 Sky customers aged 18 and over from 15 June to 22 June. Data are weighted to the profile of the population.

The data indicates that the economy will be front and centre of the arguments ahead of the referendum and comes in a week where business organisations have made their case for both the "No" and "Yes" vote.

Sky's political editor Faisal Islam said: "Perceptions of economic risk played a key role in swaying votes in both the Scottish independence referendum and the General Election.

"Those behind the 'Yes' campaign will frame leaving the EU as an unnecessary risk, with the backing of multinational banks and carmakers, and this survey shows why."

It comes as Mr Cameron presents his renegotiation strategy to European leaders at a summit in Brussels today.

He has indicated he believes EU treaty change will be necessary to reflect the new deal for Britain.

However, the French are expected to oppose a push for a new treaty. The French economy minister, Emmanuel Macron, said: "If you speak about treaty change, the answer is no. It doesn't make sense."

Mr Cameron wants to impose restrictions on the ability of EU migrants to claim benefits in the UK as part of his immigration reforms.

Under freedom of movement rules EU citizens are entitled to the same benefits as citizens of the member country.

The Sky survey also indicated Brits do not think the UK will be less respected on the world stage if it leaves the EU.

And more than half (51%) said the UK got a raw deal compared to France and Germany.

In addition 53% of people thought that EU immigration "undermines British culture and values".