"EU Commission's economic recovery plan not fit for purpose" - 2009-03-12
Ahead of the European Parliament's vote on the proposed European Economic Recovery Plan, and the EU Spring Council next week, Glenis Willmott MEP, Labour's Leader in Europe, is calling on the Commission to step up its efforts to ensure that the European Union weathers the economic storm.
Glenis Willmott MEP has written to Commission President Barroso to express her concerns about the proposed European Economic Recovery Plan: "There is no doubt that the main challenge is to restore confidence in financial markets and counter rising unemployment, but the Commission's proposed recovery plan must be more ambitious. It does not offer enough clear proposals, necessary for the rapid implementation of measures to help those now and in the future."
Glenis Willmott MEP continued: "Most importantly the Economic Recovery Plan should aim to tackle the long term effects that unemployment and a shrinking economy will have on Europe, namely on young Europeans entering the job market for the first time and on working women."
Glenis Willmott MEP raised concerns that the Commission's initiative will be too little too late: "The Commission proposes direct European funding of only €30bn, a mere 0.3% of the EU GDP. I do not believe that this will be enough to ensure harmonious and coordinated measures across member states.
"The Commission must use its initiatory powers to put forward measures that can and will be implemented rapidly. The economic crises have unfolded dramatically and at times unpredictably, and we must ensure that we are both proactive and reactive in future."
Notes to editors:
Letter from Glenis Willmott MEP to EU Commission President Barroso
Dear President Barroso,
Ahead of the European Parliament's vote on the proposed European Economic Recovery Plan, and the EU Spring Council next week, I am taking the opportunity to call on the Commission to step up its efforts to ensure that the European Union weathers the economic storm.
The European Parliamentary Labour Party agrees with the Commission that the EU should present a united and ambitious agenda of reform and recovery to the G20 summit in London on 2nd April. The G20 is an opportunity for Europe to show off its unique ability to counter economic crises through close national co-operation. We want the EU to present concrete agreements, ensuring that the summit will not be a missed opportunity.
There is no doubt that the main challenge is to restore confidence in financial markets and counter rising unemployment, but the Commission's proposed recovery plan must be more ambitious. It does not offer enough clear proposals, necessary for the rapid implementation of measures to help those now and in the future.
Most importantly it should aim to tackle the long term effects that unemployment and a shrinking economy will have on Europe, namely on young Europeans entering the job market for the first time and on working women.
In Britain we are implementing policies to prevent the return of the unemployment of the 1980s. Recession in the UK saw young school leavers unable to access jobs or training, doomed to years on the dole, and women unable to re-enter the labour market.
This European recovery plan needs clear targets for sustainable job creation and maintenance and real initiatives to address the issue of youth and female unemployment and access to labour markets for our future workforce. The effects of this recession will be felt for far longer than necessary, if the EU does not act now.
The Commission proposes direct European funding of only €30bn, a mere 0.3% of the EU GDP. I do not believe that this will be enough to ensure harmonious and coordinated measures across member states. If member states act in isolation without coordinated concrete proposals, we will all miss the chance to safeguard the future of generations to come.
The Commission must use its initiatory powers to put forward measures that can and will be implemented rapidly. The economic crises have unfolded dramatically and at times unpredictably, and we must ensure that we are both proactive and reactive in future. Therefore we wholeheartedly agree with the Commission's desire for further co-ordination and solidarity between member states.
The success of the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Strategy hinges on our ability to address the problems of youth and female employment. Now more than ever there is a need for concrete action from the Commission.
I look forward to your response.
Glenis Willmott MEP
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party
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