Andrew Lewer (ECR), in writing. ‒ The decision of the British Conservatives to abstain on the Deutsch report reflects a mixed view of a text that contains both positive and negative elements. We welcomed, for example, the Rapporteur’s support for measures to cut red tape, improve ESI fund absorption, tackle the payments backlog (some EUR 28.4 billion by the end of 2014) and support the vital role of SMEs in creating jobs and growth. However, key paragraphs lacked clarity on budgetary consequences, suggested new legislative measures and inferred a level of EU involvement in some areas of national competence that UK Members were unable to support. In addition, though most British Conservatives support the European Fund for Strategic Investment, we do not believe that its main objectives should be economic, social and territorial cohesion. EFSI, in our view, should be firmly focused on granting a guarantee to economically viable projects likely to make a return.