George Osborne wrong to claim he halved £1.7billion EU Bill, say MPs

‘Chancellor George Osborne’s claim to have halved a £1.7 billion EU surcharge in negotiations in Brussels last year is “not supported by the facts”, MPs say today.

The demand from the European Union – relating to a recalculation of Britain’s income dating back almost 20 years – sparked fury when it was issued last October.

David Cameron, Prime Minister, voiced “downright anger” and insisted he would not pay up by the December 1 deadline set by the European Commission.

Days later, Mr Osborne emerged from an Ecofin meeting with fellow EU finance ministers to declare that Britain would pay just £850 million, telling reporters: “We have halved the bill … it’s a result for Britain.”’

Read more: George Osborne wrong to claim he halved £1.7billion EU Bill, say MPs