Britain was part of the European Union until its official exit on January 31. Up to that point the UK was a net contributor to the EU budget, meaning the UK paid more than it was given back. In 2018 the Government paid £13 billion to the EU budget, and EU spending on the UK was forecast to be £4 billion, meaning its “net contribution” was £9bn. But just what was the British taxpayer paying for?
According to shocking internal documents, EU members spent tens of thousands of pounds for an all-you-can-drink, end of year extravaganza in 2019.
Details of an opulent bash organised by the European Council’s party planners revealed that for the 1,200 employees lucky enough to be invited to the bash, a night of lavish dining and drinking was available, paid for by taxpayers.
The full bill came to nearly £50,000 with the event offering Brussels bureaucrats a chance to enjoy a choice of 10 different dinners each and an all-night bar serving Prosecco and a selection of beers, wines and soft drinks.
The document reads: “The establishment of at least two large bars is necessary for the smooth running of the evening.”
READ MORE: Eurocrats blew taxpayers’ money on £100,000 wine cellar – audit
But what exactly did the event involve?
According to the internal documents, a selection of eigh different canapes was shared out to officials as a starter, while they sip prosecco.
Then, guests had a choice of twenty different menu options, displayed in French and English, to choose from as part of a “walking dinner” served at individual food stalls.
Pudding for the party-goers saw them choose three miniature desserts from a choice of ten different options.
Some of the invited guests reportedly demanded to be sent samples of the prosecco and wine ahead of the event to ensure it meets their requirements ahead of the event.
Another specific request is that each of the 65 tables provided for guests be decorated with flowers.
Last year it emerged that the EU Council spent over £100,000 on up to 4,000 bottles of champagne.
An audit of Brussels spending showed the institution, formerly headed by Donald Tusk, splurged thousands on booze and holidays for its staff.
What else has your money been spent on?
According to the Brussels spending audit published last year, irregularities amounted to around 5 percent of total spending.
Other outrageous spending by the EU included:
- Two bonding days at a Belgian theme park for employees and their families: £70,000.
- A “shooting range rental”: £15,000.
- A “relaxation armchair”: £85,000.
- “Renting of furniture”: £25,000
- Medals for staff with 20 years’ service: £10,000.
- Biribun Limousines – a “universe of luxury”: £800,000.
- Abelag Aviation private jets: £500,000.
- Financial Times subscriptions: £150,000.
After this audit was published Brexit Party MEP Michael Heaver said: “To spend these ridiculous sums on things like champagne, theme park visits and boozy parties really is rubbing the taxpayers’ nose in it.”
Britain left the European Union on January 31 and therefore will not contribute towards this spending in the future.
However, the UK still must pay the divorce bill which is estimated to be around £30 billion.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated this would be paid by 2022, according to the October 31 deadline, with some relatively small payments still being made until the 2060s.