EU budget: Parliament pushes for new revenue sources

16 Jul 2020 01:43 PM

To fund the Covid-19 recovery and invest in Europe’s future, Parliament is calling for new streams of revenue for the EU budget.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented socio-economic impact with the latest forecasts projecting the EU economy will contract by 8.3% this year.

The EU and its member states have already adopted exceptional measures in response to the crisis. As the Union works to repair the immediate damage brought on by the coronavirus, while also continuing to create a greener and more digital Europe, the main tool will be the EU’s long-term budget.

A recovery budget

Preparation for the EU's 2021-2027 budget got underway in May 2018. However, in light of the coronavirus outbreak, in May 2020 the European Commission put forward a new budget proposal to address the impact of the pandemic.

The Commission’s proposal followed a call from Parliament for a largescale recovery package and consists of a €1.1 trillion budget as well as a €750 billion recovery instrument consisting of grants and loans. The budget is subject to negotiations between Parliament and national governments in the Council.

Learn more about the EU recovery plan.

Borrowing for the €750 billion recovery package would be made possible through an amendment of the rules setting the conditions for funding the EU budget.

To enhance the EU's capacity to borrow on the financial markets and later repay the debt, the Commission proposes increasing the maximum amount of funds the Union can raise from member states.

Parliament is set to adopt its opinion on this proposal after the summer. It will also require unanimity in the Council as well as ratification by all member states.

New revenue sources to finance the recovery

The EU budget’s revenue sources - also known as own resources - have remained unchanged for a number of decades. They include customs duties as well as national contributions based on VAT receipts and on gross national income. Over the years, Parliament has repeatedly called for a reform of the own resources system.

As Europe recovers from the coronavirus outbreak, MEPs are insisting on the introduction of new revenue sources to cover the refinancing costs of the recovery instrument, prevent sharp reductions in EU budget expenditure and ensure the Covid-19 response does not become a burden for future generations.

Parliament is proposing new revenue in the form of environmental and financial levies. They include:

Parliament has also repeatedly called for the abolition of all budgetary rebates and corrections, which benefit only some EU countries.

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