According to the House of Commons Library, between 2010 and 2013, the average proportion of EU-based UK law and regulation was 59%. They write: The average over these four years was higher, at 59%. But even this calculation does not take account of UK primary legislation or EU ‘soft law’ […]
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The EU costs us too much, we don’t have control and the bill is growing
The UK is billed over £50m a day by the EU. Our contribution has grown over the years. We can expect it to grow in the future. We receive a rebate equivalent to £13.6 million a day, applied a year in arrears. It is negotiable. We receive £5.9 billion per year or £16.1 million […]
Read MoreUK to resettle unaccompanied asylum-seeking children from Europe
The Prime Minister announced at Prime Minister’s Questions this week that the UK will resettle unaccompanied asylum seeking children from Europe. The Government’s focus remains on supporting countries most affected by the continuing migration crisis in the Middle East and North Africa where they think the UK can make the biggest difference and to […]
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Let’s spend our money on our priorities, like the NHS in Wycombe
A bill of £350 million every week for EU membership. You may have seen this figure often in recent weeks. At a highly conservative estimate, it works out as a net contribution of £8.5 billion a year spent on the EU’s priorities. That’s a net contribution of £23 million every day of […]
Read MoreRelocation of children from Europe
Following Monday’s consideration of Lords amendments to the Immigration Bill, there has been a furious backlash challenging the humanity and, where relevant, faith of those of us who supported the Government. Parliament is sometimes required to make exceptionally difficult decisions in complex circumstances of mass suffering to which political power is a poor solution. Such […]
Read MoreArticles on the EU in the Sunday Telegraph and Telegraph
The Telegraph kindly carried articles from me on the launch of Conservatives for Britain last June and shortly before Christmas. I include links below; my articles on the EU stretching back to 2007 may be found here. The launch article was Conservatives will stand up for Britain if the EU lets us down, […]
Read MoreESA and PIP changes in Budget 2016
I have been asked to explain reasons for the changes to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as set out in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill and the debacle over Personal Independence Payment (PIP). In the Summer Budget 2015, the Chancellor announced that, from April 2017, new ESA claimants who are placed in […]
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Speech in the debate on the Budget Resolutions
On 22 March, I took the opportunity to speak in the debate on the Budget Resolutions. The Hansard record is below (emphasis mine): Mr Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): I rise to support the Budget and, in particular, to welcome the Government’s supply-side reforms. This has been a dramatic Budget, and I would […]
Read MoreThe Investigatory Powers Bill
Yesterday, I voted for the principle of the controversial Investigatory Powers Bill. I very nearly did not: I detest state surveillance as a matter of principle. Unfortunately, the Internet is not only a force for good. It has also liberated and enabled a number of appalling evils which even an […]
Read MoreReaction to Mr Kerry’s intervention in the EU debate on behalf of the USA
The Independent reports my reaction to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s intervention in the EU debate: Responding to Mr Kerry’s remarks at the Munich annual security conference the Conservative MP Steve Baker said to the Independent: “I refer Mr Kerry to the US Declaration of Independence. We will do […]
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