The Court of Auditors did not agree to sign off the EU’s accounts for the 12th year running. Oh no, everyone screams, the EU is as corrupt as ever. Well, probably not actually. The House of Lords (who take a lot more care of EU matters than the House of Commons) have written a report into how the EU budget is scrutinised, and they give a reasonably positive overall assessment – see the story from BBC News here. They point out that the Commission’s own procedures are largely positive, and the funds that the Commission itself approves and manages would be given the OK by the auditors. The real problem lies with the Member States and how they spend the money – a matter far harder to track and control. So, the next time someone whines at you that the Commission is corrupt, put them in their place, and point the finger at the Member States.