Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 July 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 July 2010. It was answered by Justine Greening (Conservative) on Monday, 26 July 2010 on behalf of the Treasury.

EU Budget

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the draft EU budget for 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Government are very concerned by the proposed increase of 5.8%, or €7 billion, in payment appropriations in the European Commission's draft EU budget for 2011. This level of increase is seriously out of step with the tough decisions being taken on fiscal consolidation by EU member state governments. The Government have repeatedly called for the EU budget in 2011 to be kept at cash levels equivalent to 2010, and will continue to work hard towards this goal.

Secondary information