EU budget skirmishes begin as eight countries attack Brussels' proposals

The traditional skirmishing over the EU’s next long term budget kicked off on Monday (12 September) with member states complaining about the size of the sums proposed and the European Commission countering that it should be allowed to raise its own money.

Eight member states said in a position paper the proposed 2014-2020 budget expected member states to dig too deep into their pockets at a time when they are imposing austerity measures at home to counter the economic crisis.

"Mem...