Jim Nicholson, Ulster Unionist MEP, has welcomed the reduction to EU costs in the new budget agreement for 2014.   

On 20th November, the European Parliament passed by 494 votes to 158, a package that will see headline spending fall from €144.3 billion to €135.5 billion in 2014, representing a decrease of 9.4% compared to 2013. 

During protracted negotiations in Brussels between the European Parliament, the Commission and the EU Council, it was agreed to incorporate additional retrospective sums into the 2014 budget. This will mean a real-terms freeze in the EU budget compared to the initially-agreed budget for 2013.  

Mr Nicholson said: 

"I welcome the freeze of EU budget and commend the efforts of fellow euro-realists in securing this deal. 

"While I voted against the additions that have been made to the budget, headline spend will fall by 6%, with the historic 3.8% reduction further evidence that the EU can be reformed. 

"I hope this kind of negotiation becomes the norm as the EU is obliged to come to terms with life in the real world and introduce discipline to its spending.  When people in Northern Ireland and across Europe are being asked to make savings, it would be irresponsible of the EU not to show similar restraint.  

"It is particularly welcome that money has been switched away from less-useful bureaucracy and vanity projects to the important areas of research and development, education, training and jobs which could give a much needed boost to our economy and reduce unnecessary burden on local taxpayers. 

"In the long-term there needs to be reform of the structure of the EU budget from top to bottom so that it works better in the interests of local people, nevertheless this is certainly a step in the right direction."