At the annual general meeting of the EEIBA, president Keith Ralls announced a deficit to 31 December 2002 of £304 000. The president also provided details of a five-year plan to lift the charity out of operational deficit.
This plan includes extending existing 'individual giving schemes' to other partners, while maintaining income from events. "Costs would be saved wherever possible," said Ralls. "But the EEIBA will ensure that welfare spend is kept in line with the needs of the people who require help."

Ralls continued, stating: "There is much to do and there will be some difficult decisions to take as we travel along the path to reach fiscal equilibrium, but I have confidence in the EEIBA's future."

This recent deficit announcement compares favourably with the previous year which was over 50% higher, at £469 000.