UK Government to Spend $13Mln on Pro-EU Leaflets to Every Household

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UK government plans to spend 9.3 million pounds ($13 million) on leaflets explaining why the Brits should vote to stay in the European Union in June.

"The document makes clear why EU membership brings economic security, peace and stability," Environment Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement published on the government website.

A leaflet will be sent to every household across Britain to help the public make an informed decision on EU benefits when they go to vote in the in/out referendum on June 23, 2016.

Leaflets will be delivered in England on April 11-13, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland after the May 5 elections.

Anticipating criticism from Leave campaigners for using budget funds to tilt public opinion in favor of the EU membership, the government said that publications of this sort were "entirely lawful."

"Independent polling carried out on behalf of the government made clear that 85% of people want more information from the government to help make an informed decision," Truss argued.

The leaflet will set out the advantages of a vote to stay in the 28-nation bloc while describing some of the choices Britain would face if it were to leave. It will claim, for instance, that the "resulting economic shock" would put pressure on the national currency and possibly increase prices of some household goods.

The No campaign will also be given public funds by the Electoral Commission to deliver a leaflet of its own to every household in the United Kingdom.