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		Local MEP backs call to oppose EU budget hike Thursday, 3rd February 2011 Roger Helmer, a Conservative MEP representing the East Midlands, has urged his local colleagues in District and County Councils throughout the region to oppose any further increases in the EU budget. He has circulated a resolution adopted by Medway Council in Kent, calling on the government to block the proposed increase. This resolution has also separately been circulated by his Conservative colleague Dan Hannan MEP (South East). Mr Helmer is concerned that at a time when Britain, and local authorities, are forced to tighten their belts and cut their spending, the EU demanded a 6% budget increase, and eventually settled grudgingly for a nearly 3% increase. The EU institutions have created the impression that they live on a different planet, unaffected by the financial squeeze that faces the rest of Europe. Commenting from Brussels, Mr Helmer said: “It is outrageous that we face yet further increases in the EU budget, when local councils are asked to cut back in these times of austerity. Preventing a further increase in the EU budget would mean that fewer sacrifices would have to be made at central and local level here in Britain. We need to send a message to the EU that it must face up to the same financial constraints as everyone else”.