SIR - According to Budget figures, Britain will give the EU £6.1 billion next year, after rebate and after deduction of grants from our contribution. (In 2009-10, the net will be £6.4 billion.) I consider myself compassionate, ever ready to lend help to charities dealing with the Third World. I am not so happy to learn that these massive increases are largely to help Bulgaria and Romania - not exactly Third World, just poorer than us.
These figures are enormous but dwarfed by the £50-plus billion membership of the EU costs annually when all factors are considered (Bruges Group calculations).
Jason Smith, UK Independence Party Bradford chairman, Woodlands Avenue, Queensbury
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