Britons are increasingly sceptical of EU benefits The threat of increased EU control over national budgets is also a concern, with 79pc of the 1,000 Britons polled saying that the government should retain full control over national economic and budgetary policies. Other countries also shared British concerns. Out of the 12 EU countries that participated in the survey, only one - Germany - reported a majority of respondents (53pc) who preferred the EU to have greater authority over national budgets. Spaniards were the most sceptical about the benefits of the euro, with 57pc stating that the single currency had been bad for their economy. This compares with 52pc in France and 51pc in Italy.