Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the value for money obtained by the European Structural and Investment Funds in the light of the increase in the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Union budget.

In 2013, the Prime Minister secured the first ever cut to the seven-year EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). As a result, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR’s) latest forecast, UK net contributions to the EU Budget going forward will, on average, be lower per year than in 2013/14 – the final year of the last seven-year deal secured by the previous Government – not higher. The Government supports the objectives of the European Structural and Investment Funds. These programmes are now more strongly focused on results following the implementation of a rigorous performance framework sought by the UK and other net payers during MFF negotiations. The Government is committed to continue to ensure maximum restraint and maximum value for money when it comes to EU expenditure.