BRITAIN'S SOARING EU CONTRIBUTION CAUSE FOR CONCERN - BURT

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 25th Aug 2009

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has written to Minister for Europe, Glenys Kinnock raising concerns over Britain's spiralling contribution to the European Union at a time of deep recession in the UK.

Following reports that Britain's net contribution will rise 60% to £6.4bn next year - the equivalent of about £260 per UK household, Mrs Burt has written to the Minister asking what steps Government intended to take to bring the spiralling costs under control.

"Of course the UK benefits enormously from trade within the EU, but whichever way you look at this, such a steep rise in contributions at a time when British people are losing their homes and jobs is a serious cause for concern.

"Government has already sunk £1.3trillion into stabilising the banking system, and can ill-afford to continue paying escalating costs on this scale."