MEPs opt to keep their business class flights

MEPs said parliament's budget should be increased by 2.3% in 2012, at the same time rejecting a proposal for euro-deputies to take more economy class flights in future.

Plans for the 2012 funding increase, contained in a report by centre-right MEP José Manuel Fernandes, were adopted on 6 April 2011 by 479 votes to 176, with 23 abstentions. The hike was earlier supported by parliament's budget committee, and comes despite a call for more modest 1% rise from the European Commission.

ESO: Background information: EU officials must slash expenses, warns Brussels http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-officials-must-slash-expenses-warns-brussels/

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