...the totally predictable happens, as EU demands an inflation-busting £5bn rise

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ls-freeze.html

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...eedy-Eurocrats

EU votes through inflation-busting £5billion budget increase, defying Cameron's 'calls' for a freeze

• Budget blow: The Prime Minister had wanted an inflation-'only' increase of two per cent

The European Parliament has voted through an inflation-busting £5billion increase in the EU budget - defying David Cameron's calls for a freeze. MEPs have agreed a rise of nearly 4.9 per cent - more than double the two per cent inflation-only increase the Prime Minister had backed. The shock move came soon after William Hague told the Tory party conference in Manchester that EU costs were under control.

Mr Cameron had said that a real-terms freeze made sense at a time when everyone is having to be more prudent. But generous MEPs on the budgets committee have now capitulated to the European Commission's original demand for a budget of more than £112bn. The budget this year was £107bn - a 2.9 per cent rise on last year in the face of MEP demands for a huge six per cent rise and a call from Mr Cameron for an absolute freeze. Referring to that argument, Mr Hague told the party conference in Manchester: 'When we said that the costs of the EU budget were out of control we were right, and now we have had unprecedented success in bringing it under control.'

UKIP MEP Marta Andreasen blasted Mr Hague's calm attitude.

Attack: UKIP MEP Marta Andreasen (left) said William Hague (right) was misleading taxpayers by saying the EU budget was now under control

Ms Andreasen, a former EU chief accountant, said: 'Mr Hague's comments are patently untrue. 'Far from being under control, MEPs today voted for a rise that would equate to some £300m that will come from UK taxpayer's already-hit pockets.' Ms Andreasen, who sits on the budgets committee and opposed the rise, added: 'Mr Hague might be able to pull the wool over the eyes of Conservative delegates, but the British public will soon feel the truth through an extra £300m burden.'

European Parliament number-crunchers said they were still working out what the impact of the rise would be, after six hours of voting on every aspect of planned spending. Ministers are hoping to find a compromise on the budget by the end of the year.

...totally predictable, so much for his so-called 'win' of an only 2.9% increase in the EU budget (if you call that a win, thats like saying you've won because you've come 7th in a race instead of 8th). Well there we have it, still paying more to the European Union along with the billions this government and its 'opposition' have plunged into the IMF and EU bailout fund, billions which we will never get back.

What people need to understand is this; with the EU there can be no 'in Europe but not run by Europe' - the EU itself describes its motives as 'ever-closer union' and ever-closer union comes with a hefty price. There's only one option, grin and bear it or exit now. But the three main parties won't give you that option.

What would you pick? what do you make of the intended rise?

[FlyingJesus]

Excellent, now my debts won't mean as much

[Slowpoke]

I think we know the opinion of most on here, that we should leave the EU. A better question would be - when do you think we will leave the EU, if ever?