East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin proposes slashing EU culture budget

Today marks the deadline in the European Parliament for MEPs to submit amendments for the proposed 2012 Culture budget. Along with many of her colleagues, Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin is taking a tough line on spending.

Currently, the budget for the Culture Committee is over two billion euros. Several MEPs have been calling for an increase in spending, with a proposal to raise the budget in 2012 by €136 million.

Whilst a number of EU programmes, particularly those regarding volunteering, youth mobility and lifelong learning, can bring added value to schemes at a national level, Miss McClarkin argues that the demand for additional funds is naive and irresponsible.

The additional 5.4% increase to the budget is inconsistent with austerity measures taking place in Member States, where some of the heaviest budget cuts are falling on culture departments. Whilst in the EU, MEPs seem set on continuing excessive spending. Some of the unnecessary European projects include Wind Art Festivals, 3D whale displays and nomadic dance troupe sponsorship.

In total, Miss McClarkin has proposed amendments that will save the EU taxpayer over €100 million, almost 4% of the total culture budget.

Miss McClarkin, Conservative spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport in the European Parliament, said:

“We need to be realistic about the economic situation we are facing. The need to implement difficult austerity measures is something we all have to face up to. In individual Member States hard decisions are being made on an almost daily basis about where to make cuts.

“I have a profound respect for cultural diversity in Europe and I do recognise how important cultural traditions are for national solidarity and social cohesion. That being said, we need to prioritise our financial commitments. In areas where nations are best placed to conduct their own policies, the EU should streamline its commitments, ensuring that in every instance projects and schemes add value to those already taking place at a national level.

“This is why I believe that to ask for a year-on-year increase in spending on the culture budget flies in the face of the actions Member States are being forced to make. In many areas, it will not add value; it will duplicate actions that can be done at Member State level; it is excessive at a time when national budgets are being severely cut; and it only serves to remind people just how out of touch with the economic reality the EU really is.”