EU Budget (Surcharge) Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Monday 10th November 2014

(10 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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At a time when budgets are tough, I completely understand why people want the maximum amount of money possible to be spent at home, but the truth is that we have been able to get a reduction in the EU budget because of the tough negotiations of the British Prime Minister. That is what we are able to achieve by standing up for Britain’s interests in Europe.

Mark Durkan Portrait Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP)
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Will the Chancellor help us better to understand what he is presenting as a masterful feat by telling us: what he did not know; when and for how long he did not know it; and why he did not know it?

George Osborne Portrait Mr Osborne
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It was not clear that this exceptional demand for a payment would have the British rebate applied or indeed to what extent the rebate would be applied. The amount was confirmed to us only last Thursday evening.