The European Parliament must tighten its belt too (Newham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Newham Borough Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

The European Parliament must tighten its belt too

May 21, 2010 4:00 PM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford has declined to support an increase in staff allowances and other administrative support for MEPs in the current year and next year, in a vote in the European Parliament. She said:

"The two biggest groups in the European Parliament, the centre-right European People's Party and the Socialists, pushed through a substantial increase in the Parliament's budget for next year. The Liberal group (ALDE) took a stand against, though we were outvoted."

"Families, businesses and governments all over the EU are having to tighten their belts in order to survive the recession. The European Parliament must do the same."

"The - undoubted - extra demands on MEPs arising from the new responsibilities we have under Lisbon treaty cannot be used as an excuse year after year. That is why I and my Liberal group colleagues voted against the proposed 2011 increase in allowance for parliamentary assistance and extra money for office-holder MEPs."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

'Office-holder' MEPs are the President and Vice-Presidents of the Parliament and the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Committees.