Britains poor to lose out to Eastern Europe?

24 November 1998

Britain’s poor to lose out to Eastern Europe?

BRITAINS poor rural communities could lose out to even poorer areas in the former Eastern Bloc when central and eastern European countries join the European Union.

European grants to Britains rural areas run out at £140 million a year. But the Countryside Commission believes many areas will lose out when eastern European countries join the EU early in the next millennium.

Countryside Commission representatives will team up with the Rural Development Commission to press for a change in EU funding so that the grants are still paid.

• The Daily Telegraph 24/11/98 page 13