EU begins budget discipline procedure against UK
European Union finance ministers started disciplinary budget steps against Britain on Tuesday, saying its deficit was set to exceed the country's fiscal commitments.
"The decision on Britain has been adopted," a diplomat said.
All 27 EU members have agreed to keep budget deficits below 3 percent of gross domestic product, but the ministers said Britain's shortfall was expected to top the level in the fiscal years 2008-09 and 2009-10.