EU's accounts refused the 'all-clear' by the Auditors

8.00.00am GMT Wed 16th Nov 2005

The European Court of Auditors, has refused to give the annual euro-accounts the all-clear, for the 11th year running. This report repeats concerns about the accuracy of the books on the 2004 budget totalling nearly £70 billion.

However the finger of blame has to directed at the member states themselves.About 80% of EU spending is conducted by national and regional authorities rather than the EU itself.

The UK currently holds the EU's rotating presidency and could have tried to tighten up accounting procedures but has failed to do so. Gordon Brown last week made clear it was for the auditors to set out ways to improve the procedures for clearing the accounts rather than calling for member states to actually tackle the problems.

Although member states and national Governments should take a large proportion of the blame the EU itself must look at its own procedures and make sure they are as transparent as possible and ensure that we, the citizens of the EU, receive vale for money.