'Too generous' EU pay-and-perks plan vetoed

A new pay-and-perks deal aimed at cleaning up the European Parliament’s gravy train image was blocked today by EU foreign ministers who thought the package was too generous.

The reform proposal was set to be part of a major overhaul at the assembly ahead of the admission of 10 new countries this spring and European elections this June. Members have long been accused of padding their wallets at taxpayer expense for not much work.