European Union Budget Reform

A tension between (richer) contributing Member States and (poorer) recipient Member States has always characterised the history of the budget of the European Union, the politics of which has often turned fraught. Alongside traditional tensions, newer ones have emerged, including the effect of EU enlargement in 2004-7, which has increased demand on spending, and the effect of the post-2008 economic crises, which has likewise increased demand for spending though faced by conflicting demands for austerity.

Finally, the Lisbon Treaty reinforces the power to block agreement on reform to the budget. With the EU due to announce a new budget in 2013, this volume evaluates the prospects for major change to expenditure and the structure of the budget for the period starting in 2014 Review: 'This is one of the best books yet written on the EU budget.

Combining historical analysis, the role of the governments and the EU institutions in budgetary bargaining, and reform potential of the main spending priorities, the book covers all the key contemporary issues on this topic. As the EU heads towards the negotiation of the next multiannual financial framework this book will be a valuable resource for EU scholars as well as policy-makers' Simon Hix, Professor of European and Comparative Politics, London School of Economics 'This timely book provides important insights into the difficulties facing EU leaders as they negotiate a new budgetary framework for the EU.

I really like the way the thought-provoking contributions identify clearly the problems faced, and lay down a challenge by presenting EU policy-makers with workable solutions.' Professor Robert Ackrill, Jean Monnet Chair in European Economic Studies, Nottingham Business School 'An extremely timely contribution to the budgetary debate that has been near the centre of EU politics for more than 25 years, this book offers a well-informed view of where that debate may go next' -Michael Shackleton, Special Professor in European Institutions, University of Maastricht, and former European Parliament official