MP Mark Pritchard warns UK may end up paying more to EU

After two days of negotiation, European leaders announced yesterday that spending for 2014 to 2020 would be £773 billion, down from the current £797 billion budget.

The European Commission had been pushing for spending to rise to £835 billion, but the negotiations resulted in the first-ever cut in EU spending. While Prime Minister David Cameron hailed the result, experts have warned the way the budget is structured may result in the UK's contributions rising by as much as 6.3 per cent.

Mr Pritchard, who represents The Wrekin, said today: "I am glad that the Prime Minister has negotiated a real-terms cut in the budget but disappointed that UK taxpayers will still have to pay more.

"The EU is still far too wasteful, inefficient and sometimes corrupt.

"My view is not a single penny more should be paid to Brussels, but if the Prime Minister had not fought hard, the British taxpayer would have had to pay even more."

Speaking after the deal was announced yesterday afternoon, Mr Cameron said: "I think the British public can be proud we have cut the seven-year credit card limit for the European Union for the first time ever."

He said the deal was £67 billion lower than the original proposal in November, when talks collapsed without agreement.

But he admitted Britain's EU contributions would rise despite the budget cuts. Mr Cameron said this was a result of Tony Blair giving away part of the country's rebate in previous negotiations.

Overall, said Mr Cameron, the deal was 'good for Britain and for Europe too – good for taxpayers in Britain and Europe'.

The Prime Minister urged MEPs, who have the power to veto the budget, to approve it. European Parliament president Martin Schulz has announced the European Parliament vote will be by secret ballot to stop governments pressuring their MEPs.