EU budget vote: Rebel MPs defeat government over spending cut call

Rebel Tory MPs joined with Labour and other parties to pass an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020.

The coalition says it must be frozen in real terms as a minimum.

The amendment, passed by 307 votes to 294, is not binding on ministers, but is a blow to David Cameron's authority on Europe before key talks next month.

The rebel amendment calling for a real-terms reduction in EU spending was passed after a stormy debate in Commons on the EU's next seven-year budget and UK contributions. Rebel Tory MPs joined with Labour and other parties to pass an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20157063

I believe the main issue has always been the French farming subsidies.

Farmers defend controversial EU subsidies.

The EU's complex and costly system of farm subsidies is under review and next month the European Commission will present its reform plans.

France - the EU's biggest food producer - does not want farm subsidies to be cut, unless global rivals like the US also agree to cut their subsidies.

But the UK wants far-reaching reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with less spent on food production and more on the environment.

What does the CAP look like down on the farm? The BBC's Christian Fraser in France and Stephanie Holmes in the UK went to find out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11476656