Spending waste slammed by MEP

MEP Paul Nuttall

Official criticism of Brussels' spending waste has been described by local MEP Paul Nuttall as "showing they really can't see the wood for the trees".

The EU's own auditors have found that £450 million has been wasted on a flawed grant scheme to improve trees.

The European Court of Auditors said the forestry scheme was riddled with "deficiencies in the programme across the board". They found that grants were made over the past five years to projects that were not even eligible for the cash.

"They also found that it was impossible to tell whether the grants had helped because member states were not even required to value the forests before getting the money," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"Despite this damning report which shows the EU had not analysed the forestry sector so as to 'justify specific financial support aimed at improving the economic value of forests', the European Commission wants to offer the same support for trees and forestry over the next six years.

"They really can't see the wood for the trees and love pouring away hard-earned taxpayers money. No wonder the auditors have not been able to sign off the EU's annual accounts for nearly 20 years following allegations of irregularities and fraud.

"It's also no wonder that the EU president Herman Van Rompuy recently urged them to 'tone down' its criticism for fear of damaging headlines.

"This is another plain demonstration why we must leave the EU - and as soon as possible," said Mr Nuttall.