Details of the Annual Report of the European Court of Auditors were given to MEPs at 7pm on Monday, November 15.
Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East Midlands, commented:
"The EU's Court of Auditors has spelt out the main problem of Europe's 'missing millions'. It lies, not in Brussels, but in the 25 national capitals. National governments across Europe are responsible for spending 80% of EU funding in areas where they share responsibility with Brussels, particularly the Common Agricultural Policy
"Taxpayers have a right to know that their money is being spent properly. With accounting improvements on their way, it's time that the European Commission stopped allowing itself to be treated as a punch bag by eurosceptics.
"Gordon Brown's Treasury must explain why eight UK government departments have recently been criticised by auditors for weak financial control. More money disappears through fraud from Britain's welfare budget alone than out of the entire programme of EU spending. "
ENDS
The 2003 Annual Report of the EU Court of Auditors, a summary and a press release is available on the website of the European Court of Auditors at: http://www.eca.eu.int/audit_reports/annual_reports/docs/2003/ra03_en.pdf.
Contact Bill Newton Dunn MEP: 07939 250473 or Tiffany Venning: +32 485 952 113