A guide to the EU budget

This Briefing Paper considers the EU's spending and how it is financed.

In 2015 the EU spent €140 billion. This is equivalent to around 1% of national income across the EU’s Member States. The majority of the EU’s spending goes on policies aimed at supporting farming and agriculture and improving Member States’ economies and competitiveness.

This briefing includes only limited analysis of what the UK contributes to the EU budget and receives from it. The briefing The UK’s contribution to the EU budget goes into more detail on the subject.

ESO: Background information: The UK 'rebate' on the EU budget. An explanation of the abatement and other correction mechanisms http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-uk-rebate-on-the-eu-budget-an-explanation-of-the-abatement-and-other-correction-mechanisms/

ESO: Background information: The Brexit Bill. Britain's Departure Likely to Cost EU Billions http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-brexit-bill-britains-departure-likely-to-cost-eu-billions/

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Brexit and the EU budget: threat or opportunity? http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-and-the-eu-budget-threat-or-opportunity/

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