Financial News
- 26 November 2012, 10:22
Cameron: EU Deal 'Just Not Good Enough'
EU budget talks collapsed because the deal on the table was "just not good enough", Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Speaking in Brussels after the summit ended without agreement, he hit out at EU institutions for failing to curb the high pay and perks of its bureaucrats.
He told them it was time to "adjust to the real world" and said the Commission "didn't offer a single euro in savings, not one euro, and I just don't think that is good enough".
He said: "Brussels continues to exist as if it is in a parallel universe."
The European Council president, Herman Van Rompuy, called off the summit after leaders remained deeply divided after two days of negotiations, rather than try to continue into the weekend.
Mr Cameron said a deal to set out the spending priorities of the EU over the next seven years could be done in the future but that it could not be a "deal at any cost".
The Prime Minister has argued for a budget freeze when the EU is demanding an above inflation increase in 2014-2020 spending. He has also been fighting to keep the rebate that was secured by Margaret Thatcher when she was in power.
He insisted Britain was not alone in opposing the budget proposals and said a number of other countries, which also receive more than they donate, had found the deal unacceptable.
Sky's Robert Nisbet, in Brussels, said this is not the end of the road for the talks and they will continue into the new year.
"What is likely to happen is a third budget proposal will be sent out to all 27 countries, they'll go away and discuss it, try to find some common ground and then come back here at the start of next year to try to negotiate it.
"But by then they are starting to run out of time because all of this has got to be implemented at the start of 2014."
Mr Cameron demanded billions in pay and pension cuts from the EU's civil service and presented EU heads with a paper setting out how Brussels could slash at least 6bn euro (£4.8bn) off its staff costs.
His measures included upping retirement ages, lowering pensions and trimming lavish salaries.
The French President, Francois Hollande, said: "Progress was made. There were no threats, no ultimatums.
"(German Chancellor) Angela Merkel and I both agreed that it would be better to take some time out, because we want there to be an agreement."
what do you think?
blue side
I have a scheme which would save trillions of Euro - just scrap the European Union and return to the EEC. There thats it done and dusted.
David Francis
The difference being......?
Grant Berry
agreed
Gordon Berry
if we contribute to the EU we have every right to differ about its financing which is a disgrace by any standard. the costs are crazy.
Peter Coates
I can't understand why we're still in this goofy club. All out to rip us mugs off. Disgraceful.
gengisken1227
Best way to save throwing more dosh at the EU waste machine is to leave, although LibLabCon have no intention of allowing that - they'd lose cushy retirement jobs, the Kinnocks are reputed to made a million a year plus Kinnockio's MP's pension. Vote UKIP - leaving is written into their manifesto
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
bjnk
If you believe that about the Kinnocks making a million a year then N farage must be paid the same. And just because its in the manifesto does not mean it will happen for definite, remember your talking about politicians promises here and we know how often they keep them.
David Francis
bjnk - the difference between Kinnocks & Farage is that K is retired but before retiring stuffed the whole of his famiily into very high paid tax free jobs in the EEC/EU. F is merely a sitting MEP. HUGE difference.
Mike
I agree. VOTE UKIP
Charles Rickards
Time to stop paying for a bureacratic system if it does not create a net benefit for the UK. Too many noses in the trough, too many rules that do not benefit the majority. Too many levels of paper shufflers on big salary packages and expense accounts. Unfortunately it will never happen as too many have a vested interest in maintaining the Status Quo and the lifestyle it provides. Consider acouple of alternatives: A European Government, governing a federal Europe, collecting taxes under a unified tax system and budgeting for a federal Europe. No need for national governments or tax systems, a one size fits all arrangement. Alternatively, National Goverments governing single nations, national taxes and national budgeting. Why do we need both?
Windows Live User
Time we took the bull by the horns or in this case the porker by the snout, and not agree to any new EU proposal until all the euro politicians had their disgraceful level of salaries and pensions, plus bonuses and expenses slashed. It has had to be the best job (ha) in the world but now public focus is on it and wont let go until the earnings are are realistic.
happymike CHESTER
We need a bigger handbag.
Peter Coates
Bookies are giving odds on he gives in. Ditherer.
Brian Holmes
Of course he will. It's all theatre.
John Mechelen
No its not good enough,get us out now,or vote UKIP
Alf Bibby
Calamity you arn't good enough it is time to go
Jonathan Goodwin-Self
Cameron wants to tax us higher and give billions more in overseas aid and more to MPs and more to the rich but tax the rest of us higher. This government is the worst we have ever had. Labour were bad but he is 10 times worst.
Thomas Cat
Eu deal;Just not good enough says Camoron. Remove the word 'enough' and GIVE US A REFERENDUM. UKIP for me.
chris
All we see is over bloated beaurocrats, crazy eu courts, pompous commissioners and armies of staff. A sauasge machine that churns out laws that only we slavishly abide to and France's imperial dreams kept alive by their power to demand to be in a central controlling position. They get the first and biggest bite out of the EU cash(our tax and borrowing) it seems as a recompense for the past harm and 'disrespect' it has suffered. Of course the EU cant be slimmed down in any way easily - it is not a democratic organisation. It was set up in a way so that it only has itself to answer to. Should we decide to leave, at the first referendum offered, I dont think Scots will be too happy?
Brian Holmes
Wondering how he will dress up the eventual "agreement".
Byron Eckhardt
8:18am on 23/11/2012
The auditor's have refused to sign off the eus books for the last 16 year's,anywhere else the fraud squad would be investigating,they are unelected,undemocratic and unaccountable,just another bunch of politicians helping themselfs to our money,its no wonder none of our political party's will give us a say about Europe,its only good for bosses and politicians
David Francis
12:50pm on 23/11/2012
I thought it was 18 years not 16.
Gordon Berry
3:38pm on 23/11/2012
I thought it was 17years.
Windows Live User
2:10pm on 25/11/2012
It is a dead politicians heaven. Who on earth allowed this to happen? The Kinnocks and the rest are useless and in embarrassment should donate their earnings and investments to a British charity of our choice.