Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
Countries work that way because they act, with the consent of the people, as a single democratic unit.
The EU is not a single democratic unit. Our contributions have been financing projects in foreign countries. It is altogether different than the funding of a new bypass around Hull.
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I'm curious why you have a problem with us funding 'foreign countries'. Of course there will be remitters and beneficiaries in any transaction. The hope was by helping other countries within the EU would help create an even bigger market and therefore make everyone richer.
It also worth reminding you that the UK's contribution to the EU budget is time compared to all other outlays.
In the fiscal year ending in 2016, total UK public spending was £761.9 billion. The UK made an estimated gross contribution (after the rebate) of £13.6 billion, however the UK received £2.8 billion of public sector receipts from the EU, so the UK's net public sector contribution to the EU was an estimated £10.8 billion.
£10.8bn out of £761.9bn is a tiny traction of our annual expenditure. The return from that £10.8bn outweighs our spending on many other areas.