EU Budget: 2003 in Numbers

Reading the back and forth on the upcoming budget row over the UK rebate, it is interesting to look at the numbers. Budget data found on the Commission's website paints the following picture of France vs. the UK in 2003 (all numbers €Bn):



The chart on the left is 2003 as it actually happened. You will see after all was said and done (contributions to the EU less revenues received from the EU), France paid in a little over €2Bn than it received back from the EU. The UK paid in almost €4Bn more than it received back. The approximate difference in 2003, the UK paid in €2Bn more than France to the EU.

The fun begins with the chart on the right. This chart assumes the UK receieved no rebate (approx. €5.2Bn) in 2003. This of course increased the UK's total contribution to the EU dramatically. France's contribution dropped slightly (€1.64Bn) for their share of the UK rebate. However, holding all other data constant you can see that with no UK rebate in 2003, France almost becomes a net receiver of EU funds while the UK net contributor status skyrockets to over €9Bn.

Now you know why Blair must say No at this time to unilaterally giving up the rebate.

All the data can be found in this report, Allocation of 2003 EU Operating Expenditure by Member State.

(Why did I use 2003? It was the latest year which I could locate both revenues and expenses for the EU in detail.)

Update: The Times agrees.

Update: Nick rightly points out that France almost becomes a net recipient w/o UK rebate.