By pooling resources at EU level, national governments can cut waste

IN reply to Ashley Fox's letter (June 23) on the EU budget for the years between 2014 and 2020, I'd like to point out that Lib Dem MEPs did not vote for an increase in the long-term EU budget.

In fact, we want to see a freeze in EU spending over the short-term. This is why, for example, Lib Dem MEPs are leading the campaign for, and voted in favour of, scrapping the Strasbourg Parliament, saving around £160-million a year alone.

However, we also want the EU long-term spending from 2014 onwards to deliver jobs and growth, at a time when the necessary programme of Government spending cuts will be over.

Liberal Democrat priority areas of EU spending for 2014 to 2020 are energy security, climate change, R&D and innovation, infrastructure and improved security around the world. In all these areas, the UK benefits considerably from investment at the EU level. 

We are at the very start of a long and difficult negotiation over the shape and size of the long-term EU budget. If we are to reform future EU spending to focus on UK priorities, we need to put all the cards on the table at this stage. The Tories voted for stagnation and the status quo. I voted in favour of reform to the long-term EU spending so that it cuts out unnecessary waste and bureaucracy, but also delivers jobs and growth in the UK.

I would also remind Ashley that by pooling resources and regulatory bodies at EU level, national governments can cut down on waste and save millions. It is thought that measures such as this could save up to 20% in national defence procurement budgets without surrendering powers away from national governments. 

Sir Graham Watson MEP

Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for South West England and Gibraltar