EU demand extra £1.7bn from UK

[Derek]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29751124

The UK has been told it must pay an extra £1.7bn (2.1bn euros) towards the European Union's budget because the economy has performed better than expected in recent years.

Outstanding timing from the EU, it's almost as if they want UKIP to do well.

They must really hate Cameron.

Because the re-assessment goes all the way back to 1995, Greece is also in line for a surcharge, while Germany is to get a rebate.

Truly ... You Couldn't Make It Up.

[Stop It]

Right, there are 2 possibilities on how this has happened:

1: This is based on a known formula that each country including the UK agreed to. Like a hedge on currencies etc, each country agreed that if their economy falters, they could pay less to the EU, if they do better, they pay more. If this is the case and is a result of a policy that wasn't publicised but UK govt knew about, then tough. If the opposite happened and we got to pay less because our economy was tanking, Cameron would be laughing.

2: If the EU just decided to change the rules without consulting each national govt first, then er...yeah. Considering our Dutch friends are near recession and asked to fork out another £500 too, which is more per capita than we are being asked to pony up I think they will be annoyed too.

From the article: "EU officials say it is a technical not a political decision, and it has been worked out under rules agreed by all member states"

That wording is tricky. It doesn't say that the process was agreed by all member states, just that the framework to do so was agreed. Surely Cameron & co should've been told this was going on. If they were, then they had the chance to veto it, if they didn't, then the extra payment should be refused.

This looks to be akin to your energy company telling you that your meter has been buggered for 20 years and now want the difference back. Technically correct by not exactly morally correct. I think the formula should be used going forward but the payments made historically should be final.

[Pierre]

Farage will be raising a glass to Brussels tonight.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by Chris

Because the re-assessment goes all the way back to 1995, Greece is also in line for a surcharge, while Germany is to get a rebate.

Truly ... You Couldn't Make It Up.

The French basket case economy (That followed the Labour party spend, spend, spend plan) also gets €1bn of our money

Truely a gift to UKIP in the forthcoming by-election.

John Redwood said on R4 Today programme this morning that we should simply refuse to pay. Somehow I don't see that level of testicular fortitude from Dave.

[Pierre]

Cameron knew this was coming, they've known for a week at least and probably before that.

I would find it absurd that the EU would put down a 1.7Billion invoice with a 90 days to pay sticker on it. (but you never know)

He's had a while to come up with a response, I'll be very interested to hear what he says.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Cameron knew this was coming, they've known for a week at least and probably before that.

I would find it absurd that the EU would put down a 1.7Billion invoice with a 90 days to pay sticker on it. (but you never know)

He's had a while to come up with a response, I'll be very interested to hear what he says.

Maybe he will say Wonga for the loan!!!

Maybe this is all a cunning plan to make Cameron look strong ahead of the by-election...

[Derek]

I suppose the UK could agree to pay it just as soon as the EU gets its accounts signed off by the auditors.

That should put the matter to bed for the next 25 years or so.

[Julian]

So thanks in part to the inclusion in the official economy of our productive sex workers, our EU membership fee has been augmented.

So we get screwed twice.

Not surprised the Germans get a rebate when you see the women.

Cameron's now saying he won't be paying on 1 December as demanded. Here's hoping he doesn't roll over and pay it on 2 December instead.

If we have to pay this, we should pay it off over 20 years, in recognition that it's a correction to the last 20 years' worth of assessments.

[Osem]

Farage must be delighted. Every time the Europe thing goes a bit quiet some Eurocrat or other pops out of the woodwork to make them look even more out of touch and intransigent.

[Gary L]

I think it's great.

it makes politics interesting.

[denphone]

Well Dave and George are always spouting on that our economy is booming so here is their chance to prove it.