EU may offer Britain installment plan for disputed bill

EurActiv reported that a possible compromise in the budget dispute between the United Kingdom and the European Union was emerging in November 2014. The UK would still need to pay the full amount of the new demand, but could pay in interest free installments.

The question was due to be discussed at an ECOFIN Council meeting on the 7 November 2014.

The new UK European Commissioner Lord Hill called for a period of calm, in an interview with the BBC, in the row about the UK's refusal to pay the £1.7bn extra demand.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The UK’s £1.7 billion EU bill puts the country one step closer to a ‘Brexit’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-uks-1-7-billion-eu-bill-puts-the-country-one-step-closer-to-a-brexit/

BBC News, 06.11.14: EU Commissioner Lord Hill urges calm on £1.7bn tax bill http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29928195

ESO: Background information: Italian presidency tries to appease Britain on EU bill http://www.europeansources.info/record/italian-presidency-tries-to-appease-britain-on-eu-bill-hungary-triggers-rule-of-law-debates-in-eu-council/

United Kingdom: Parliament: House of Commons: Committees: European Scrutiny Committee: Evidence, 04.11.14: Revised UK contribution to the EU budget http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/european-scrutiny-committee/revised-uk-contribution-to-the-eu-budget/oral/15129.html

The Guardian, 06.11.14: EU commissioner calls for calm over £1.7bn tax bill http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/06/eu-commissioner-calm-uk-tax-bill-lord-hill

The Guardian, 07.11.14: David Cameron says he will reject instalment plan for £1.7bn EU bill http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/nov/07/david-cameron-no-compromise-over-eu-demand

ESO: Background information: Northern Future Forum focuses on future education and novel businesses http://www.europeansources.info/record/northern-future-forum-focuses-on-future-education-and-novel-businesses/

EUObserver, 07.11.14: Low expectations on UK bill compromise http://euobserver.com/economic/126428

Deutsche Welle, 07.11.14: EU seeks deal in budget row with Britain http://dw.de/p/1DipU

Deutsche Welle, 07.11.14: UK demands 'better deal' in 2-billion-euro budget row with EU http://dw.de/p/1Disx

The Guardian, 07.11.14: UK should consider taking EU to court over £1.7bn bill, say senior Labour MPs http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/06/ed-balls-douglas-alexander-labour-uk-eu-commission-court-justice-budget-bill

UK: Parliament: House of Commons: Committees: European Scrutiny Committee: 22nd Report EU Budget 2014, November 2014 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmeuleg/219-xxi/21902.htm

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