| Synopsis: |
This report, "Financial Management in the European Union (HC 349)", summarizes the results of the European Court of Auditors' examination of the European Union's accounts for 2007 and progress on the range of initiatives taken forward by the Commission and Member States. For the first time the Court provided a positive Statement of Assurance, without qualification, on the reliability of the Commission's accounts, in effect confirming that they give a true and fair view. But for the fourteenth successive year the Court did not provide a positive Statement of Assurance on whether the underlying transactions conformed to applicable laws and regulations. Cohesion Policy funds, which are designed to reduce disparities in the level of development between regions and Member States (for example by supporting major infrastructure projects) remain the most challenging component. Based on its audit work the Court estimates that, for expenditure on Cohesion projects, at least 11 per cent should not have been reimbursed by the Commission in 2007. This conclusion reflects weakness in controls at Member State level but also the difficulty of implementing complex programs.In the Cohesion Policy area the Commission has increased the rate at which it recovers incorrect payments from Member States, from 287 million euros in 2007 to 843 million euros to September 2008. It predicts that further corrections will be finalized in Spring 2009. Financial corrections in future years could have an impact on the United Kingdom. |