Britain will not pay "anything like" the £1.7 billion which is being demanded by the European Commission in additional contributions to the EU budget, Prime Minister David Cameron has told MPs.
But the Prime Minister was accused of being "asleep at the wheel" by Labour leader Ed Miliband, who said Mr Cameron should have been aware for at least two years that changes to Britain's contribution to the EU budget were in the offing.
Ed Miliband has told MPs the Treasury was "clearly aware" Britain's budget contribution to the EU would increase.
Citing a letter written on March 11, Miliband highlighted that Nicky Morgan noted changes were going to take place on this issue and stressed the “high priority” the Government were giving to addressing them.
Today's trip to Berlin should be a moment to savour for the Chancellor, but it is the £1.7 billion EU bill that is on everyone's minds.
George Osborne has told ITV News it is "not acceptable" for the EU to spring a £1.7 billion bill on Britain without any warning.
Ukip leader Nigel Farage has told ITV's The Agenda Britain should tell the European Union to "get stuffed" over the £1.7 billion bill.