EP/SP04/2009
23 February 2009
Reports in the British media based on a press release from a UK pressure group give a false impression of the situation regarding MEPs’ salaries and expenses.
Firstly, claims are made based about a sizeable increase in net salaries for British MEPs. These are based on the false assumption that only EU taxes will be applied to UK MEPs’ salaries, whereas the UK government made clear to MEPs last July that it will apply additional taxes so the total rate is the same as for anyone else in the UK. The new salary is denominated in euro (around €7 665 before tax per month), so the equivalent amount in sterling depends on the exchange rate, which has been particularly volatile in recent months. If some of the fall in the value of the pound against the euro is recovered, then the sterling value of the salary would fall. The overall sums mentioned as income for MEPs depend entirely on assumptions about the amounts MEPs have no choice but to spend in order to do their job. A different set of assumptions could very easily lead to a dramatically different conclusion.
Secondly, various claims are made relating to an internal audit report which found a number of weaknesses in the system for the employment of MEPs’ assistants. The whole point of such reports is to enable problems to be fixed, and this report was one of the factors behind Parliament’s decision essentially to replace the system with a new one. In future, Brussels-based assistants will be employed directly by Parliament, with those based in the MEPs’ Member State being handled by qualified paying agents, guaranteeing correct tax and social security arrangements are in place. The practice of parliamentarians employing close relatives as assistants is being phased out.
Thirdly, a major reform of MEPs’ travel expenses will see, from July this year, expenses refunded on the basis of documented costs incurred rather than on a flat-rate basis.
It is entirely wrong to suggest that nothing is done when problems are detected. There is no basis for suggestions that forged documents might be presented. Moreover, Parliament’s services undertake a variety of checks on the various payments made to MEPs and request further information where doubts arise. If it turns out funds have been improperly claimed, the relevant sums are recovered from the MEP concerned. Where there is good reason to suspect fraud, Parliament’s services can, and do, call in the EU’s anti-fraud investigations office, OLAF. This can ultimately lead to cases being passed to the relevant national prosecutors.
Full details of legislation on: MEPs’ statute
Click for information on future employment of MEPs’ assistants.