Local MEP Vicky Ford asks "where has all the money gone?"

Vicky Ford, the newly elected Conservative MEP for Cambridgeshire, has just completed a whistle stop tour of the East of England meeting leading councillors, businesses and community leaders.

Vicky explained "The constant complaint is the lack of funds and more specifically the impenetrable maze of red tape that surrounds EU grants. At a time when purse strings are tight everywhere it is incredibly frustrating to know that British taxpayers money has been paid into funds that the funds are "available" but somehow may not be getting back to where they are needed. I have been told again and again that information on different funds is very confusing."

"For example, in the East of England there are over 500,000 small or medium sized businesses in the East of England and they are a crucial part of our economy. Many of these companies are involved in Research and Development where the EU has a 7 year budget of over €50billion. The EU target is to allocate at least 15% of the budget to small or medium sized companies. I'm not a fan of top down targets but hearing that our region with so many smaller companies is 20% below that target does back up what the companies themselves have been saying. The money does not appear to be getting to where it is needed."

There are some examples of excellent project part funded by EU grants. Last week Vicky visited the UK's largest grain store - helping farmers from Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk. As a direct result of this project Sainsburys across the UK are now using British wheat for all in store bakeries rather than importing wheat from Canada. Together with our other two Conservative MEPs, Geoffrey Van Orden and Robert Sturdy, Vicky Ford is also supporting a bid for money to help upgrade East West train lines so that freight can travel by rail not road.

Vicky said "We should never forget that EU money is actually British tax payers money recycled through Brussels. It is not a bottomless pot of cash but it is available for certain projects. Businesses, councils and voluntary organizations need much clearer advice on what may be available and who to contact for help. Over the next few months I will be working on a project to help provide that advice."

"If your readers could write to me if they would like to know more please email me at vicky@vickyford.org or visit me on www.vickyford.org to keep track on how I do!"

ENDS

Notes to editors for further information and quotes contact Vicky directly on 07771812976

Back to all posts