"AUSTERITY DID NOT START AND END IN GREECE OR IRELAND", SAYS FORD URGING MEPs TO SUPPORT RESTRAINT IN EU BUDGET
Posted, June 14, 2010 @ 00:00
Strasbourg 14 June 2009. In a speech to the European Parliament today on the on-going budget negotiations, Conservative Economic and Monetary Affairs spokesman in Brussels Vicky Ford MEP, urged the European Parliament and Commission to lead by example, stop spending money on non-essentials, hold back from unaffordable increases and return savings to member states.
Vicky said,
"We are in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis. Across Europe ordinary people are feeling the pain. 23 million residents are unemployed. Those lucky enough to still have jobs know they will now work for longer, earn less and pay more in taxes to repay our unsustainable public debts.
"There are also pay-cuts or freezes in Spain, Italy, Portugal, the UK and elsewhere. Germany has announced tax-rises and spending cuts amounting to some 60 billion Euros.
"Last week the Dutch people went to the polls and voted for austerity, and the French are debating a rise in the retirement age. European institutions must not be immune to our citizens' pain. It is vital that we recognise the steps that member states are taking with their budgets, and approach our own with the same sense of responsibility and realism.
"Our Amendment to the budget negotiations asks the EU to lead by example; this year we should not spend money on non-essentials; hold back from unaffordable increases and return savings to member states.
"We were elected to listen to the people, now is not the time to be deaf to their cries. Austerity did not start and end in Greece or Ireland."