The amount the UK pays to Europe.
I naively imagined that if all departments were being examined Europe would be included in this (i.e. if we haven't got the cash things HAVE to be renegoiated)and the budget to Europe should be cut by a similar percentage to other departments (say 15-20%).
Instead however I am horrified to discover that "Britain's contributions to the EU will rise by almost a quarter, despite the deep cuts to public services in this country.
The small print of yesterday?s spending review reveals that net contributions to the EU will rocket from £8.3billion this year to £10.3 billion over the next four years.
Some of the rise is due to Labour?s decision to surrender part of Britain?s budget rebate.
The revelation came as MEPs rubber-stamped a 5.9 per cent increase in the EU?s budget for next year, prompting angry exchanges in the Commons." (copied and pasted from another website)
So am I being unreasonable in thinking that Osborne and Co really are just giving lip service to the working poor, and using the deficit as an excuse as when it gets difficult (I don't doubt renegoiating the biudget is difficult) they just aren't that bothered