Written question asked by Lord Pearson of Rannoch (UK Independence Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Sassoon (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 March 2011.

EU: Budget

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Sassoon on 28 February (WS 87–9), what is their assessment of the practical effect of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden withholding their consent on the discharge of the 2009 European Union budget.

Answer: The Government abstained from the vote on the discharge recommendation at the ECOFIN Council meeting on 15 February, with strong support from Sweden and the Netherlands. The UK, Sweden and the Netherlands submitted a joint declaration setting out expectations for improvements in financial management in the near future. In particular, the joint declaration called for concrete improvements in terms of enhancing member state responsibility, improving transparency of financial management data, and encouraging the European Court of Auditors to move towards a more risk-based approach to auditing.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7295; 725 c405WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: ECOFIN
Monday, 28 February 2011
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Audit Accountancy EU budget
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk