Donuel... as a well studied and informed Brit...I would be pleased if you could show me where you found this information. This is new to me. Before joining the EU, we Brits were the fifth richest country in the world. We dropped that position to become the 6th. Since leaving we are back to being the fifth richest again..... so I can't see how your assertion holds water.... Please give us a link to prove your statement.