David Cameron faces new pressure over EU budget

David Cameron is facing a fresh mutiny over Europe after Tory backbenchers and Labour MPs demanded a real-terms cut in the EU budget.

The Prime Minister has been fighting proposals from the European Commission that would see a 5 per cent hike over the next seven years.

Instead, he wants spending to rise only in line with inflation – currently around 2 per cent.

But Mr Cameron is set to come under intense pressure from his own side and the Opposition tomorrow when the Commons debates the government negotiating strategy for next month’s crunch EU summit.

Conservative MPs Mark Reckless and Mark Pritchard are tabling an amendment insisting that any budget rises should be below inflation.

Senior backbenchers John Redwood and Bill Cash are also believed to be among those backing the text.

Mr Pritchard, who played a prominent role when 81 rebels voted for a referendum on Europe last year, said Mr Cameron should be ready to show “real fiscal leadership” and wield the veto.

Writing on his blog yesterday, Mr Reckless insisted the suggestion in the amendment was not “excessively radical”.

“Although many of us would wish to see a substantial reduction in EU spending, at least in line with cuts at home, today we are only asking the government to strengthen its stance so that there is some real-terms 
reduction in the EU budget,” he said.