Discussing the budget summit on BBC C&W

I spoke to Shane O'Connor on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire this morning about David Cameron's attempts to freeze a rise in the EU budget. If there is no agreement about the budget, then it will automatically rise by 2.9%!

MEPs to call for 4.9% increase in 2012 budget

PRESS RELEASE

MEPs to call for 4.9% increase in 2012 budget

Independent MEP Nikki Sinclaire will oppose fellow MEPs who  will claim that an increase of 4.9% in the 2012 budget is needed to fund the EU's growth and jobs strategy.

The European Parliament's budgets committee is expected to endorse its final position on 11 October.

Francesca Balzani, a centre-left Italian MEP responsible for drafting the Parliament's position on the budget, stated this week that the main political groups have agreed that an additional €139 million (£120 million) for the EU's 2020 programme for boosting competitiveness, growth and jobs.

In July, member states controversially agreed to a spending increase of 2.02%, which would take the budget to €129 billion (£111 billion) – less than the €132.7bn (£114.5 billion) that the European Commission had asked for. The proposed increases will take the figure back towards that asked for by the Commission, which will be an embarrassment to David Cameron, who had fought to keep the budget down.

Balzani claims that the Commission's initial figure was “the bare minimum” needed to meet pledges on regional aid funding and to support the Europe 2020 strategy.

Eurosceptic MEP Ms Sinclaire has hit out at the planned increase that is diametrically opposed to the Coalition plans in the UK which is cutting public services. Ms Sinclaire said "We should be spending British taxpayers money in the UK not increasing contributions to the EU that has not had its accounts passed by auditors for 16 years"

She welcomes the expected cut in the Parliament's administrative budget by €75 million (£65 million). This will be a first for what Ms. Sinclaire has previously described as "the parliament that knows no cuts."

Cutbacks would include freezing an MEP's office allowances to 2011 levels: an MEP's general expenditure allowance is currently €4,299 (£3708) per month. MEPs will also be asked to back a 5% cut to their fixed and annual travel allowances, which cover the costs of travel to Brussels and Strasbourg, as well as to meetings elsewhere.

The Parliament's position is expected to be finalised in a plenary vote on 26 October, after which negotiations will begin with the Council of Ministers. Talks are expected to start on 1 November, but the two institutions are still far apart.

Speech in European Parliament on Students and and the EU Budget

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfmaoyKouQg

Mr President,

Last month in Strasbourg, this Parliament voted through a 5.9% increase in the EU budget. This included an extra 2 million for "entertainment" - to support the champagne lifestyle to which this place has become accustomed. I found the way in which colleagues applauded themselves to be offensive within the context of an economic crisis.

Today, the victims of this crisis from my constituency in Britain's West Midlands are making a stand. Students and university lecturers took their concerns to the streets of London. Whilst I deplore the action of a few today I applaud the many.

Students will be hard hit by the austerity package.

Tuition fees in universities are set to triple.

Courses are being scrapped, places are being cut back, and infrastructure will be put under more pressure.

Tomorrow's talent, that we will all rely on in the future, is being stifled. It is the younger generation that will suffer the most.

Mr President let me end with a warning your arrogance will lead to many people on the street, many more people protesting against this failed social project

Enjoy your Champagne, ladies and gentlemen.

Ashton chooses €12-million-a-year EU headquarters

Will the EUs spending spree ever end? Cathy 'No one has ever voted for me ever' Ashton seems to be spending the EU's increased budget already. It makes me feel sick to my stomach that my electorate (yes Cathy, people who elected me) are going to suffer the most awful of cutbacks while the EU still gets its increase.

Even more nauseating is David Cameron who has fallen for the ole used car salesman trick - 'Here we are guvnor, nice runner, yours for just under six grand' "Oh, I couldn't possibly pay that, what would her in doors say? how about 2,900?" all right, all right guvnor, DONE and you have been!

http://euobserver.com/9/31140