EU budget 2006 - more money for research and youth programmes

Parliament's ambitions for the EU will be translated into figures as the Plenary voted at first reading to restore much of the 2006 budget cut by the Council. Areas set to benefit include research, education and youth programmes, which were reduced by the Council in July, as well as external policy. The grand total after today's vote is 121.4bn in commitment appropriations and 115.4bn in payments, equalling 1.04% of the EU's Gross National Income.