Long-term economic progress and employment remain firmly at the top of European Union spending, taking the biggest share – nearly 45% - of the proposed 2009 budget - a 3% rise on 2008.

The proposal presented, on the 6th May 2008, also highlighted the growing trend to gear policy spending towards the energy and environment, with a massive 10% of the budget going on environment. Money for agriculture will remain stable at €42.9 billion. All headings in the budget will grow, reaching a total of €134.4 billion in commitments and €116.7 billion in payments.

€60 billion for growth and employment...

2009 will channel a total €11.7 billion into areas like research, innovation and lifelong learning - a 5.5% rise from 2008. Investment in the 7th research framework programme will increase by 10%, helping, in particular, to stimulate research cooperation in Europe. Funding for the EU Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) will grow by 17% and money for employment incentives and improving social inclusion through the PROGRESS programme will rise by 8%. Lifelong learning programmes will grow by 7%, including funding for the new European Institute of Technology.

Nearly €17 billion to get energy and climate change package rolling...

Investment in environment is on the rise and in 2009 the total funds for environmental targets will take more than 10% of the budget - €14 billion. Efforts to raise green investment will cut across different areas with an increase of 17,3% outside the areas of cohesion and rural development. Support for the EU's main environmental protection programme, Life+, will rise by 8%, reaching €288 million. Total funding for energy objectives including energy security, renewable energy and research is set at around €2.3 billion.