ECR Group Budgets spokesman Richard Ashworth today welcomed proposals for a six per cent cut in next year’s budget for the European Union. 

European Conservatives and Reformists Group Budgets spokesman Richard Ashworth today welcomed proposals for a six per cent cut in next year’s budget for the European Union. Mr Ashworth said it was important for the EU’s leaders to grasp the economic reality that had led to drastic spending limits right across Europe as national governments trimmed borrowing to balance the books.

He spoke after the Commission announced a draft budget for 2014 amounting to €142.01 billion in commitment appropriations and €135.9 billion in payment appropriations. The figures are some six per cent lower than this year’s for both commitments and payments.

Mr Ashworth, Conservative MEP for South East England, said: “We would have preferred an even greater reduction in overall spending and a more radical reform of the way the money is spent. However it has to be said that we see here a significant move in the right direction.

“We would particularly welcome the accent on investment and the focus on key areas such as small businesses and measures to tackle youth unemployment.

“There is generally a more disciplined approach to budgeting here than we have seen in the past.”