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Vote to Reject EU Budget

Press Release
27 October 2011
For Immediate Release
 
LABOUR MEPS VOTE TO REJECT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S BUDGET INCREASE CALL
 
MEPs and national governments need to deliver a responsible EU budget that refocuses spending on creating jobs and economic growth.

That is the message from Labour MEPs after the European Parliament voted for an above inflation of 5.23% increase in the EU budget (26 October 2011).

Labour MEP for Scotland Catherine Stihler stated:

“The call for a rise of over five percent is far too much.  Given the hard economic times it is simply inconceivable to support the proposed budget.

“Labour are supportive of spending that boosts jobs and economic growth, but we have also identified a number of areas where money could be saved.  These include cutting support for tobacco and ending the wasteful export subsidies that are entirely detrimental to our efforts of fighting against global poverty.  Much could also be saved in the EU administration budget too”.

Labour have backed a number of proposals for spending in those areas that will help deliver economic growth, such as EU regional development funds and research and development, but voted against the final report because not enough was done to deliver the savings needed in other areas.

The European Parliament's decision is not final and negotiations will now begin between MEPs and national governments to try to find an agreement over the 2012 budget.