The European Commission told Britain today it was not doing enough to cut its budget deficit, adding to pressure on finance minister Gordon Brown for allowing a rise in public debt.
The EU executive said Britain should cut its budget shortfall to below the European Union's ceiling of 3 per cent of gross domestic by the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
"Having examined the United Kingdom's budgetary situation, the Commission considers that the deficit is likely to remain above the 3 per cent reference value in 2005/06 and 2006/07 in spite of the recently-announced fiscal measures," Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said.
"The Commission is asking the Council (of EU finance ministers) to endorse this opinion and to recommend that the deficit be brought below 3 per cent by the forthcoming 2006/07 financial year," he said in a statement.
The 25 EU ministers meet on January 24th and marks the next step in an excessive budget deficit procedure against Britain.
