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Euro MPs approve allowance boost Euro MPs approve allowance boost
(about 2 hours later)
Euro MPs have approved an extra 1,500 euros (£1,300) a month in allowances to cover staff costs and backed the hiring of 150 new administrative personnel.Euro MPs have approved an extra 1,500 euros (£1,300) a month in allowances to cover staff costs and backed the hiring of 150 new administrative personnel.
The budget increase was justified, MEPs argued, because of the increased workload under the Lisbon Treaty.The budget increase was justified, MEPs argued, because of the increased workload under the Lisbon Treaty.
The extra money for assistants comes on top of the existing 17,540 euros (£15,447) a month MEPs get to pay them.The extra money for assistants comes on top of the existing 17,540 euros (£15,447) a month MEPs get to pay them.
UK Labour MEPs opposed the funding for extra posts. The revised budget is yet to be approved by EU governments. Most British MEPs opposed the funding for extra posts. The revised budget is yet to be approved by EU governments.
The European Parliament's press service says the new posts will cost 13.4m euros (£12m) - or 0.8% of the parliament's total 2010 budget of 1.6bn euros (£1.4bn).The European Parliament's press service says the new posts will cost 13.4m euros (£12m) - or 0.8% of the parliament's total 2010 budget of 1.6bn euros (£1.4bn).
The parliament plans to cut 4m euros (£3.5m) from its internal reserve for buildings, "by way of compensation". But the parliament's budget is now "stretched to its limits", the statement said.The parliament plans to cut 4m euros (£3.5m) from its internal reserve for buildings, "by way of compensation". But the parliament's budget is now "stretched to its limits", the statement said.
Of the 150 new administrative staff, 75 will be civil servants and 75 assistants for the political groups.Of the 150 new administrative staff, 75 will be civil servants and 75 assistants for the political groups.
Of the civil servants, 70 will bolster staff on the parliamentary committees, where all legislation is studied before being voted on. The other five will help to step up co-operation with national parliaments.Of the civil servants, 70 will bolster staff on the parliamentary committees, where all legislation is studied before being voted on. The other five will help to step up co-operation with national parliaments.
Lisbon changesLisbon changes
The move was opposed by most British Labour MEPs, as well as those from the Conservatives and UKIP. LibDem MEPs were split between abstaining and voting in favour.
The leader of the Labour MEPs, Glenis Willmott, wrote to the parliament's president Jerzy Buzek voicing concern about the extra posts and asking where the money would come from.The leader of the Labour MEPs, Glenis Willmott, wrote to the parliament's president Jerzy Buzek voicing concern about the extra posts and asking where the money would come from.
"What evidence is there to back up the projected need for and costing of these additional posts?" she asked."What evidence is there to back up the projected need for and costing of these additional posts?" she asked.
The Lisbon Treaty gives the parliament new powers to co-legislate with EU governments on agriculture, justice and home affairs, financial and economic affairs.The Lisbon Treaty gives the parliament new powers to co-legislate with EU governments on agriculture, justice and home affairs, financial and economic affairs.
"Co-decision" - that is, putting MEPs on an equal footing with governments - now becomes the norm for most policy areas."Co-decision" - that is, putting MEPs on an equal footing with governments - now becomes the norm for most policy areas.
The 736-member parliament elected in June 2009 is operating under new rules for salaries and allowances. MEPs' salaries are now paid from the parliament's budget, not from national governments' budgets.The 736-member parliament elected in June 2009 is operating under new rules for salaries and allowances. MEPs' salaries are now paid from the parliament's budget, not from national governments' budgets.
MEPs now get a uniform monthly salary of 7,665 euros (£6,750), which is 38.5% of the basic salary of a judge at the European Court of Justice.MEPs now get a uniform monthly salary of 7,665 euros (£6,750), which is 38.5% of the basic salary of a judge at the European Court of Justice.