Allister defends British rebate

09 September 2004

During briefings with British MEPs in London today DUP Member of the European Parliament, Jim Allister QC, raised with Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng, the European Union’s planned assault on the British rebate.

Mr Allister, who was the only Northern Ireland MEP in attendance at the briefing, identified Brussels’ determination to end the hard won rebate and its proposal to increase the EU budget by 30%, as a severe threat to UK taxpayers as net contributors to the European Union.

Mr Boateng robustly declared that the British rebate was not negotiable.  In welcoming this, Mr Allister cautioned against the pressure which will arise to trade an increase in the EU budget against retention of a reduced British rebate.  Mr Allister further commented that he looked forward to holding the Government to its pledge that there would be no negotiations on the British rebate.  

EU Parliament