European Parliament must stop wasting taxpayers' money says Ford

Local MEP Vicky Ford says the EU should not get complacent despite an improved Court of Auditors' Report.

As the recently published report was debated in the European Parliament today, Mrs. Ford said that there was a perception in Britain - the second largest contributor to the EU budget - that money was treated frivolously. This perception was eroding trust in the European Institutions the MEP said.

Speaking in the Strasbourg chamber, Mrs. Ford said,

"European finances cause great concern to my constituents and British people. The UK is the second largest contributor to European budgets and if there is one single issue that drives a wedge between Britain and Brussels it is the perception that taxpayers' money is treated frivolously by the European Union. This is true in other countries too. It is not just about a set of accounts but a fundamental breakdown in trust between the organisations represented here and the people we represent back at home.

"We must take note of the auditors' opinion. Yes, it is better than previous years, however even a clean audit opinion would not be in itself good enough. Every month since I was 18 I have received a statement from my bank - the numbers always add up, the audit report would be "clean", but that does not mean I have always spent my money wisely.

"If we are to deserve even a grain of respect from those we seek to represent then at this dire economic time we must treat our taxpayers with respect. This is my message to politicians at home, across the EU and to those of us gathered in this unnecessary, expensive second chamber in Strasbourg: we must stop wasting taxpayers' money." Ends

View full speech here

Contact: Vicky +44 (0) 7771812916

ECR Press Office - Alex Benjamin +32 (0)476 056 450

Release: immediate
Released by: Vicky Ford MEP
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