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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| David Cameron attacks 'ludicrous' EU budget increase | David Cameron attacks 'ludicrous' EU budget increase |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| David Cameron has attacked a 'ludicrous' proposed rise in the EU budget in advance of talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. | David Cameron has attacked a 'ludicrous' proposed rise in the EU budget in advance of talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. |
| The leaders are due to discuss the issue at Downing Street later. | The leaders are due to discuss the issue at Downing Street later. |
| Mr Cameron has indicated he wants a freeze and he is under pressure from some in his party to campaign for a reduction in real terms. | Mr Cameron has indicated he wants a freeze and he is under pressure from some in his party to campaign for a reduction in real terms. |
| Germany has indicated it is sympathetic to the UK's arguments but says some rise is necessary. | Germany has indicated it is sympathetic to the UK's arguments but says some rise is necessary. |
| The talks between the two leaders come less than three weeks before a summit of EU member states at which they will try to work out the next set of long-term spending plans for Brussels. | The talks between the two leaders come less than three weeks before a summit of EU member states at which they will try to work out the next set of long-term spending plans for Brussels. |
| Tough outcome | Tough outcome |
| Speaking in Abu Dhabi, during his three-day visit to the Middle East, Mr Cameron said he would make a "very robust and strong argument" for an arrangement that forced the European Commission to limit its budget. | Speaking in Abu Dhabi, during his three-day visit to the Middle East, Mr Cameron said he would make a "very robust and strong argument" for an arrangement that forced the European Commission to limit its budget. |
| He said: "They are proposing a completely ludicrous 100 billion euro increase in the European budget. | He said: "They are proposing a completely ludicrous 100 billion euro increase in the European budget. |
| "I'll be arguing for a very tough outcome. I never had very high hopes for a November agreement because you have got 27 different people round the table with 27 different opinions." | "I'll be arguing for a very tough outcome. I never had very high hopes for a November agreement because you have got 27 different people round the table with 27 different opinions." |
| Last week the government was defeated in a Commons vote on the EU budget after 53 Conservative MPs defied their party over the issue. | Last week the government was defeated in a Commons vote on the EU budget after 53 Conservative MPs defied their party over the issue. |
| Tory rebels joined with Labour to pass an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020. | Tory rebels joined with Labour to pass an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020. |
| The amendment was not binding on ministers, but was seen as a blow to David Cameron's authority on Europe ahead of the EU budget summit. | The amendment was not binding on ministers, but was seen as a blow to David Cameron's authority on Europe ahead of the EU budget summit. |
| Signs of exasperation | Signs of exasperation |
| Mr Cameron said: "I feel I am in there fighting for Europe's taxpayers, particularly British taxpayers. | Mr Cameron said: "I feel I am in there fighting for Europe's taxpayers, particularly British taxpayers. |
| "We have a rebate, we are keeping that rebate. But over and above that rebate I also want to see a good budget outcome for the UK." | "We have a rebate, we are keeping that rebate. But over and above that rebate I also want to see a good budget outcome for the UK." |
| The BBC's correspondent in Berlin, Stephen Evans, says many in Angela Merkel's parliamentary party show signs of exasperation at what they see as the British hard-line. | The BBC's correspondent in Berlin, Stephen Evans, says many in Angela Merkel's parliamentary party show signs of exasperation at what they see as the British hard-line. |
| Any deal agreed by EU leaders later this month would have to be put to the Commons for approval. | Any deal agreed by EU leaders later this month would have to be put to the Commons for approval. |
| Mr Cameron has said he would be prepared to veto any unacceptable proposal - which would mean that a deal would not go ahead. | Mr Cameron has said he would be prepared to veto any unacceptable proposal - which would mean that a deal would not go ahead. |
| If no agreement is reached by the end of next year the 2013 budget will be rolled into 2014 with a 2% rise to account for inflation. | If no agreement is reached by the end of next year the 2013 budget will be rolled into 2014 with a 2% rise to account for inflation. |