Press Release – Cut the EU budget to boost the EU’s credibility
BNE calls for radical shift in EU spending to promote growth; 10% EU budget cut.
As EU Ministers meet today to discuss the shape of the EU’s budget from 2014 – 2020, the argument is between those who want to increase spending or freeze it. No one has made a credible case for reductions yet, and a rebalancing of the budget towards growth. BNE is making that case with a fully costed alternative budget which calls for a 10% cut in spending.
Phillip Souta, Director of BNE, said “debates about the EU budget are stuck in a rut. The current budget is a relic of the past, and it needs radical reform. We believe we can save over €100bn for the EU and €10bn for Britain alone whilst spending more on long-term economic growth, and security and development in Europe’s neighbourhood.”
He went on to say that “the debate needs to change. It is inevitable that people will focus on the bottom line, but the content is more important. It is not anti-European to say we should do more with less. No one is making this argument, but with this alternative budget, that has now changed.”
Notes to Editors
- BNE’s publication “Rethinking the EU Budget: An alternative financial perspective for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014 – 2020” is available at:
http://www.bnegroup.org/images/uploads/publications/files/BNE_-_Rethinking_the_EU_Budget.pdf
- Business for New Europe is a coalition of pro European British business leaders who articulate a positive case for reform in Europe. We comment on European issues that have an impact on the UK. For a list of our members, please follow this link http://www.bnegroup.org/about/people/
- For media enquiries, please contact Paul O’Hagan on paul.ohagan@bnegroup.org or contact +44 (0)79 4457 2351. Phillip Souta can be contacted directly on +44 (0)78 8788 6437 for comment.
