What the EU Cost You!
25 May 2009
Leader of Traditional Unionist Voice Jim Allister QC MEP, who is standing for re-election to the European Parliament, asked voters today to return him to Strasbourg – where his strong voice and dedication ensured Northern Ireland would be properly represented.
Mr Allister said: “The net annual cost to the UK of EU membership rocketed by almost 20% in 2007/08 to a staggering £4,110 million.
“When the cost to British business of complying with EU regulation is added to this - estimated at £107 billion over the last decade - then the price of EU membership is crippling.”
Mr Allister assured Northern Ireland voters his voice in the EU would ensure that Ulster’s voice and cause would not go by default.
He said that in 2007/08 the UK contributed £13,763 million to the EU, received back £5,693 million in grants and £3,960 million in the British rebate, leaving a huge net loss of £4,110 million – a cost of over £80 million per week to the British taxpayer!
“As the EU has expanded, the burden on the UK of being a paymaster of Europe is becoming unbearable. The drain on our national resources is phenomenal, particularly when you realise we’ve been a huge net contributor every year since we joined in 1973.
“That is why I am a leading Euro-sceptic and a severe critic of EU waste.”
