Missing EU logo costs region £279k in fines

Wednesday 6th July 2011, 11:30AM BST.

Fines of £279,410 have been slapped on two West Midland organisations for failing to display the European Union symbol.

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and the Birmingham Chambers of Commerce were both ordered to hand back grant money for failing to put the EU logo – a circle of stars on a blue background – on brochures and publicity material.

MPs were today calling for the fine to be scrapped, particularly given that last year the UK contributed £6.4 billion more to Brussels than it got back.

Quango AWM, which is being shut down next year, was told to hand back £201,801 for not using the EU logo on publicity material promoting the West Midlands to tourists.

Birmingham Chambers of Commerce also failed to put the logo on its leaflets and was fined £77,609. The chambers’ spokesman John Lamb today said the fine was levied several years ago but it was reported in a parliamentary answer from Tory MP Andrew Griffiths.

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