Verbatim report of proceedings

Tuesday, 24 November 2015 - Strasbourg

2016 budgetary procedure: joint text (debate)

  Richard Ashworth (ECR). – Mr President, this budget responds to the immediate needs for additional security, migration and border control, as well as meeting the problems of the agricultural sector. I believe it does it in a manner that is both timely and appropriate. That is welcome, but I want to make two comments.

First, it is important that we focus spending on areas that deliver true European added value. We should not forget here that the single most important thing that this budget can do for European citizens is to deliver jobs and growth.

Second, we have to operate within the limits of the agreed multiannual financial framework (MFF). When we are faced with the conflicting pressures of a growing demand for spending, of paying down debt, and a strictly limited budget, the key going forwards will have to be discipline and prioritising spending to those areas that deliver best value for money.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question under Rule 162(8))