The Bill for Brussels episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 12, 2013 · 37 MIN

The Bill for Brussels

from File on 4 Investigates · host BBC Radio 4

21 years after the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, Britain is trying to cut the cost of the European Union.As the institution comes of age, Gerry Northam asks whether the EU's spending on itself has become excessive and - if so - whether member states do anything about it.In Brussels, hundreds of millions of pounds have been found for projects described by Eurosceptics as "self-aggrandisement". An art deco showpiece is being transformed into a new headquarters for the European Council at a cost of around 300 million Euros (£250m). A further 55 million Euros (£46m) is going to create a House of European History - a museum celebrating European integration. A new 20 million Euros (£17m) visitors' centre at the European Parliament, called the Parlamentarium, has been dismissed as a multimedia tribute to itself.Meanwhile alarm has been raised that money the United Kingdom designates as aid for developing countries is being diverted by Europe to encourage Turkey, Serbia and others to join the Union. MPs claim this money directly disadvantages Britain.Critics say Europe's expansion comes with an unnecessarily large price tag. Are they right?Reporter: Gerry Northam Producer: Chris Doidge.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 12, 2013

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

The Bill for Brussels

0:00 37:13

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of File on 4 Investigates?

This episode is 37 minutes long.

When was this File on 4 Investigates episode published?

This episode was published on February 12, 2013.

Can I download this File on 4 Investigates episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!