To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total gross amount paid by the UK to the EU was in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available (a) including and (b) excluding tariffs collected on goods entering the UK from non-EU countries.
Answered by
Mel Stride Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
This question was answered on 3rd May 2019
In 2017, the total gross amount paid by the UK to the EU rounds to £13bn. In accordance with EU regulations, Member States contribute 80% of customs duties collected on non-EU imports. The UK consequently retains 20% of these duties to cover the costs of collection. In 2017, the UK contributed £3.2bn in customs duties to the EU. Therefore, the UK’s gross contribution excluding customs duties to the EU was £9.8bn.