Brexit: David Cameron makes EU referendum plea to Shropshire Star readers

Answering questions from readers, he claims Europe is good for the county's farmers and for industry.

Mr Cameron spoke to the Star to mark the milestone of a month to go before people go to the polls for the referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

A selection of readers' questions were passed to Number 10 and today the Prime Minister answers concerns raised.

Responding to a question from Onibury farmer Rob Alderson, Mr Cameron claimed membership was good for agriculture in Shropshire.

He said: "Inside the EU, farmers have 500 million customers on their doorstep – and even more through the EU's trade deals with the rest of the world.

"With no tariffs, no quotas and no barriers, British farmers sell £340 million of beef, £200 million of lamb and £260 million of chicken to the EU each year.

"Times are tough for farmers. But inside Europe, we're able to help make things easier."

Mr Cameron came in for criticism from one questioner – Malcolm Richards from Cardington – over the Government spending £9 million on a leaflet backing a vote to remain, with Mr Richards saying the money was misused while services such as ambulances in Shropshire are under pressure.

But Mr Cameron defended the spending, adding: "With so much at stake, it's right people have all the facts before they take their decision – perhaps the biggest political decision in their lifetime."

He defended the right to campaign to stay in Europe, saying: "The government is not neutral in this debate – the cabinet made a decision to support the case for remaining. And I hope that's exactly what Shropshire Star readers decide to do – for the security and future of this great country."

The EU referendum takes place on June 23. Polling cards have now begun to drop through letterboxes in Shropshire and beyond, and the campaign is about to move into its closing stages.

The margins between the two campaigns are looking increasingly tight as polling day gets nearer.

A common argument from the Leave camp is that the UK is paying huge sums to the EU, but Mr Cameron today defended the relationship.

"Just over 1p in every £1 of tax paid here goes to the EU. But the benefits – of free trade, jobs, investment, opportunity and economic stability – significantly outweigh the cost," he told the Star.

"Treasury analysis has shown that, in the long term, Britain would be £36 billion short in tax receipts. That would leave us with less money to spend on schools, hospitals, and other public services."

He also repeated a previous Government claim that families would be, on average, £4,300 worse off outside the EU.

Discussing migration, he pointed out that Britain is outside the "Schengen" zone of open borders, and that measures have been put in place to restrict benefits to newly-arrived migrants to deter people from coming to the UK to capitalise on its benefits systems.