Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on budgetary prudence with regards to EU staff pay and pensions.

The Government is committed to a significant reduction in EU administrative costs, including the level of pay and pensions for EU staff. The Prime Minister’s deal on the Multiannual Financial Framework delivered a real terms cut to the EU’s seven year budget. Nevertheless, EU administrative spending remains unacceptably high and the Government routinely pushes the European Commission for restraint.