Poland won’t get any money back after its previous, conservative government was hit by a record-breaking fine by the European Union for ignoring a court order to undo changes to its judicial system.

Poland's government at the time was embroiled in a row with Brussels over judicial reforms that critics said undermined the independence of Polish courts. The dispute had blocked billions of euros in EU funds to Warsaw and also triggered the fines.

It’s a good reminder that the European Commission is very capable of collecting fines by withholding them from payments."