Press Release: Proposed Budget 2008: Growth and employment at the heart of EU spending

For the first time, spending on growth and employment policies will represent the highest share of the budget, ahead of agriculture and natural resources. This is the key message sent by the Commission in its budget proposals for 2008, adopted on 2 May 2007. At €129.2 billion in commitment appropriations, the budget increases by 2% compared to 2007. Payment appropriations are set at €121.6 billion, a 5.3% increase.