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Juncker convinced Brexit will happen, but is concerned about budget shortfall

Tuesday, January 9th 2018 - 09:34 UTC
Full article 4 comments
EU is bracing for hard bargaining between the bloc's net contributors and net recipients for the 2020-2026 period. UK is among the major net contributors EU is bracing for hard bargaining between the bloc's net contributors and net recipients for the 2020-2026 period. UK is among the major net contributors
Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and former Prime Minister Tony Blair are among the prominent voices arguing that Brexit can still be reversed Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and former Prime Minister Tony Blair are among the prominent voices arguing that Brexit can still be reversed
Budget commissioner Günther Oettinger said the UK's departure would leave a hole of about €12-13bn. The UK's exit is set for March 2019. Budget commissioner Günther Oettinger said the UK's departure would leave a hole of about €12-13bn. The UK's exit is set for March 2019.

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker says he believes Brexit will go ahead and the EU should tackle its looming budget shortfall. “Don't believe those who say that it's not going to happen and that people in the UK have realized their error... I don't think that's going to be the case,” he told a Brussels conference.

 The EU budget commissioner said the UK's departure would leave a hole of about €12-13bn. The UK's exit is set for March 2019.

Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger said the budget gap would have to be closed with 50% spending cuts and 50% fresh money. He suggested a Europe-wide tax on plastic products as a source of extra revenue. The Commission will publish a proposal in May this year and has urged EU leaders to agree a budget deal by May 2019.

Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and former Prime Minister Tony Blair are among the prominent voices arguing that Brexit can still be reversed, possibly by holding a new referendum on whatever deal is reached on the UK withdrawal.

The EU is bracing for hard bargaining between the bloc's net contributors and net recipients for the next budget period, 2020-2026. The UK is currently among the major net contributors. “There will have to be cuts in some major [EU] programs - some significant cuts,” Mr Oettinger warned.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said Britain will honor its current commitments to the EU budget, until 2020. The UK is one of 10 member states who pay more into the EU budget than they get out. Only France and Germany contribute more.

According to UK Treasury figures, the UK's net contribution for 2014/15 was £8.8bn. The total contribution was more, but the UK received a £4.6bn rebate. That annual rebate was won by the late Margaret Thatcher.

In 2014/15, Poland was the largest beneficiary, followed by Hungary and Greece.

On Monday the veteran pro-Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage met EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels. “Mr Barnier clearly did not understand why Brexit happened,” he said after the meeting.

Categories: Economy, International.

Top Comments

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  • The Voice

    My goodness, the Mayor of Trumpton has had a lightbulb moment! How on earth are they going to pay Postman Pat's wages? Gravy will be replaced with gruel.... Quel dommage!

    Jan 09th, 2018 - 04:04 pm +2
  • Pete Bog

    “ Mayor of Trumpton”

    How apt.


    “that people in the UK have realized their error... ”

    Despite what the EU screw the UK for in the short term, there is no sugar daddy lined up to replace the UK . What a terrible error, causing the EU to be short of money..................

    How come it took 'bomber' so long to realise this?

    Jan 09th, 2018 - 08:23 pm +2
  • golfcronie

    Are these people for real? Even I know( not a banker or wanker ) that as the UK is the third net contributor to the EU budget they will find a massive hole in it.

    Jan 10th, 2018 - 10:43 am +2
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