EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

Early day motion 890, tabled 25 February 2009 by Julia Goldsworthy (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 50 members.

That this House notes with concern the Government's refusal of a European Commission offer to extend by six months the deadline for all countries to spend unused 2000 to 2006 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money; further notes that as a result £671 million of European funding earmarked to be spent in England's regions has in effect been re-allocated to the Treasury; further notes that almost every other EU member state accepted the invitation and that the Government approved the extension for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; further notes that this decision was made without formally consulting hon. Members or the regions affected; asks Ministers to explain to the House their decision to reject this unprecedented invitation to extend the spending deadline; and calls on the Government to use its unexpected windfall to compensate all the regions that have lost out on vast sums of regeneration money.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 42, Labour 7, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.