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UK Parliament

Lords to scrutinise the EU Budget Review

22 December 2010

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The House of Lords EU Select Committee have today launched an inquiry into the EU Financial Framework from 2014. The inquiry will look into the principles, expenditure, and mechanisms detailed in the European Commission Communication on the Budget Review.

The Budget Review will affect the costs and expenditure of the EU and will lead to the setting of the Multiannual Financial Framework from 2014. The Committee want to scrutinise the Commission’s proposals and the Government’s position on them, considering issues such as what principles should underlie the EU Budget and how the setting of the budget should be influenced by the financial crises and many Member States’ tight fiscal policy. The Committee will also consider the operation of major aspects of EU spending such as the Common Agricultural Policy and support for disadvantaged regions.

Commenting, Lord Roper, Chairman of the Committee, said:

“This short inquiry is very timely as the European Commission is currently considering the EU financial framework from 2014 which will influence much of what the EU does for years to come.

“This inquiry is an important opportunity for the British Parliament to feed into the process of setting the EU financial framework. We would welcome evidence from bodies with a view on that process and will be inviting key witnesses to come and give evidence to us in person.

“Our evidence sessions will begin in the New Year and our report will be published in time to feed into the European Commission’s Multiannual Financial Framework.”

The Committee invite evidence on all aspects of the budget review including:

  • Should EU spending in individual areas such as agriculture, research, cohesion funds and development aid rise, fall or stay the same beyond 2013?
  • What is an acceptable level of expenditure on administrative resources?
  • How should the EU’s “Own Resources” be used to fund the EU Budget? Should a new EU tax be incorporated into the Framework?

The closing date for written evidence is 26 January 2011. The Committee will begin to take oral evidence from witnesses in January with a view to reporting by Easter. To submit evidence or find out more about the inquiry please visit the Committee web pages.