MEPs demand greater transparency on EU funding

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Jun 2010

MEPs today called on the Commission to introduce greater transparency and public information on the way EU funds are spent by member states.

Structural funds are distributed by national authorities around Europe to boost local economies and improve job prospects. Around €700m is available to the South West between 2007 and 2013 through the Convergence scheme, the Regional Development Programme and the European Social Fund.

Notable past projects in the region have included the Eden project and the Wave Hub, and many training programmes available at colleges are supported by the EU.

Although basic information is already made available, MEPs want the Commission to publish more extensive and comparable details from around Europe of the recipients on funds, how much was awarded and how it was spent. They also demanded greater public scrutiny of large projects before funding is awarded.

South West MEP Graham Watson believes the moves will inspire greater public confidence in public spending;

"EU funds help people and communities all around Europe and decisions on their allocation are rightly taken at a local level.

"With greater and more standardised information being gathered and made available centrally, ordinary people will be able to see for themselves that this is the case.

"Lib Dems are committed to making more the EU more transparent. The more information that is presented to the public, the faster UKIP lies about the EU will unravel"

Ends.