MEPs defend their budget proposals as the Commission’s spending plans for next year are pruned by EU Finance Ministers. And more news from Strasbourg.

The News: Prudence with realism

Prudence with realism was how MEPs  defended their 2012 budget proposals.

The EC's spending plans were pruned  by EU Finance Ministers,

who want to limit any increase  to the rate of inflation.

But the EP says the EU needs no lessons  in parsimony from Member States.

Within the last 10 years, average national  budgets grew by more than 60%

and in this time we also financed  the cost of the big enlargement.

The EP proposal would reverse  the cuts imposed by the States,

increasing the money for existing projects  by just over 5% to nearly €137 billion,

with commitments rising  to well over €147 billion.

Most MEPs argue that cutting  the EU budget would be a false economy.

A cut in the EU budget would only benefit  the richer, EU net payer Member States,

We need to support economic development  in countries like those in Eastern Europe,

Greece, Portugal and Spain,  and that's why we need the EU budget.

Recent events, such as in North Africa,  have placed additional strains on EU funds.

But those against overall budget increases

point out existing spending  could be cut in many ways.

In 2005 we spent €700 million  on the European agencies.

Now we spent €2.2 billion  on these agencies,

21 days of negotiations with the EC and  Member States will start on 1 November.

Europe will have its own mafia investigation  committee by early next year.

With a six-month mandate the team's job  is to propose new laws

One idea is to make association with the  mafia a crime punishable across Europe.

Gangs have made death threats  against the writer Roberto Saviano,

while one MEP  has permanent police protection.

The EU has been urged to help  the growing number of single mothers,

struggling to cope and raise their families,  particularly in tough economic times.

In a resolution, the EP recommends  granting tax breaks,

priority housing support and education  opportunities to single parents.

About 5% of the female population  in Europe are single mothers.

It's a figure that's rising,  and it's alarming.

EU nations are unable to bridge major  differences over maternity leave standards.

The EP voted a year ago to give  EU mothers 20 weeks of paid leave

around the time they give birth  and two weeks off for fathers.

But the Polish Presidency says  it has been impossible

to balance different national traditions,  economic realities and population changes.

Some States even suggest it will be  impossible to take the work further.