The Electoral Commission has chosen Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe as the lead campaign groups in the run-up to the EU referendum on June 23.
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Leave campaigners battled it out fiercely to win the designation because it crucially paves the way for them to spend more money and wield greater influence.
Here we look at the benefits the status brings:
:: Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe will be able to spend up to £7 million each during the campaign
:: Both groups will be given free distribution for one leaflet
:: They will be able to make referendum campaign broadcasts
:: Both groups will be given a grant of up to £600,000 to help cover administration costs, bills for campaign broadcasts and mailshots.
:: They will be given the use of certain public rooms
:: The campaigns will be given a dedicated page in the commission's public information booklet that goes to all UK households
:: Other registered campaign groups face a spending limit of £700,000 throughout the formal campaign period, which starts on Friday
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