European Parliamentary Research Service Blog

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

EPRS Policy roundtable – The impact of automation:Identifying jobs at risk

Technological and digital revolutions are reshaping labour markets across the world, with many jobs likely to disappear or to be significantly transformed over the next 15 years, as robots and computers learn to perform an increasing number of tasks, according to analysts speaking at a conference in the European Parliament. In response, governments need to foster policies to master automation, rather than reject it, and create jobs in the technologically transformed environment, as well as alleviate the associated negative impacts with social protection measures. The analysts present also remarked that the European Union should step up efforts to catch up with the United States and China in new technologies. The event, entitled ‘The impact of automation: identifying jobs at risk’ was organised by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), at the European Parliament Library Reading Room on 25 September 2018.

WEBER, Renate

‘This topic of the impact of automation has been absent from the agenda until recently… Some paint a catastrophic future. It is true that many jobs will be lost, but they will also be transformed into something else and a new one created, with the right policies’, said Renate Weber (ALDE, Romania), Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, opening the debate.

The conference focused on the recent OECD report, Putting faces to the jobs at risk of automation, which examines professions and skills that will sooner or later no longer be needed thanks to automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI). The paper says that about 14 % of jobs in the OECD’s 36 mostly industrialised countries are highly likely to be automatable (17 % in the EU), while another 32 % could face substantial change in how they are carried out.

QUINTINI, Glenda

‘Some countries are more prone to automation than others as they have a different industrial structure. Germany, for example, has a relatively high risk of automation as manufacturing is still very important there. It depends what economic sectors are in the economy, but also what people do in those sectors’, noted Glenda Quintini, Senior Economist of the Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs at the OECD.

Among the OECD countries, Slovakia is the most susceptible to automation. This may be because of its large automotive sector, where vehicles are often assembled from parts produced elsewhere. Norway is the least vulnerable to the process.

In general, the highest risk of automation is concentrated in routine jobs with low skill requirements. The manufacturing and agricultural sectors, as well as some service jobs, are most likely to be affected. But there are also examples of white collar professions that are being automated, such as investment bank traders or paralegals. Sharing economy firms are reshaping transport and tourism. The development of autonomous vehicles puts many drivers’ jobs at risk.

The lowest risk of automation is for cognitive, non-routine jobs and those where human contact is valued, such as managerial professions, fine arts, negotiators or social care workers. ‘The qualities needed are creative intelligence and social intelligence’, said Quintini. However, physical tasks related to perception and manipulation in an unstructured, complex environment will also be difficult to automate.

In the past, new technologies often eliminated many jobs, yet new ones were soon created, as was the case during the industrial revolution. However, whereas in the past changes took decades, allowing for gradual adjustment, they now take place in years, posing a challenge to people’s job security and way of life.

Reinhilde Veugelers

‘There will be destruction, but there will also be creation, and a challenge from the policy perspective is to ensure that there is enough new activities, jobs created and … enough social protection’, said Reinhilde Veugelers, professor at KU Leuven and senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank.

Firstly, automation and digitalisation need to be mastered. The USA and China have outpaced the EU in this area. ‘The EU has not really shown in the past the strong capacity to lead in that digital and innovation here’, said Professor Veugelers, calling for more and smarter investment in new technologies, and highlighting the importance of research in artificial intelligence, which is ‘a general purpose technology, helping to innovative activities in other sectors’. Here, Renate Weber expressed concern about the transparency of the Chinese AI programme, saying ‘Do we know what is happening in China? I have my doubts’.

Secondly, education systems need to be adapted to teach children and youth the right skills, that is develop cognitive and social intelligence and learn to work in the digital context. Reinhilde Veugelers argues that AI could be useful in training for digital skills. Another crucial policy instrument is adult learning, as few people will have a job that is ‘guaranteed for life’. This needs to be accompanied by efforts to combat the currently growing wealth inequalities, as the poorest in society are the least likely to get proper education or retraining, propelling the vicious circle.

Lieve Van Woensel, the Head of EPRS’ Scientific Foresight Service and the event’s moderator, pointed to a recent EPRS study, The impact of new technologies on the labour market and the social economy, which additionally suggests limiting the impact of automation on unemployment by reducing working time as productivity increases.

Click to view slideshow.

Written by Laura Puccio (1st edition),

© AnastasiiaUsoltceva / Fotolia

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was created in 2006 to finance active labour market policies targeting workers who have lost their jobs because of trade adjustment. The fund was subsequently modified in 2009 to cover major structural changes triggered by the economic and financial crisis. The rules of the EGF are laid down in EU Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013, which stipulates that the fund will continue to be financed until 31 December 2020. In May 2018, the European Commission submitted a proposal to reform the EGF and maintain it as a special instrument outside the MFF ceiling. The proposal introduces modifications to the eligibility criteria, the co-financing rules and the mobilisation procedure.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Reform of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) Committee responsible: Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) COM(2018) 380 final
30.5.2018 Rapporteur: Maria Arena (S&D, Belgium) 2018/0202(COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Tom Vandenkenlaere (EPP, Belgium)
Arne Gericke (ECR, Germany)
João Pimenta Lopes (GUE/NGL, Portugal)
Monika Vana (Greens/EFA, Austria)
Laura Agea (EFDD, Italy)
Mara Bizzotto (ENF, Italy) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in committee

Written by Marcin Szczepanski (1st edition),

© vectorfusionart / Fotolia

In the framework of the next long-term EU budget for 2021-2027, the Commission is proposing a new, €9.2 billion programme to build up digital capacity and infrastructure and support a digital single market. It will operate mainly through coordinated and strategic co-investments with the Member States in the areas of advanced computing and data, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, their uptake and optimal use in the private and public sectors and boosting advanced digital skills. According to the Commission, the programme will help European societies and businesses to make the most of the ongoing digital transformation. The Commission sees the potential for efficiency gains in exploring complementarities and synergies with other planned programmes such as Horizon Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility and the European Regional Development and Cohesion Funds.

In the European Parliament, the file has been allocated to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). The draft report was published on 13 July 2018 and the vote in committee is expected in December.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Digital Europe programme: Funding digital transformation beyond 2020‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Digital Europe programme for the period 2021-2027 Committee responsible: Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) COM(2018) 434
6.6.2018 Rapporteur: Angelika Mlinar (ALDE, Austria) 2018/0227 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

 

  Pilar del Castillo Vera (EPP, Spain)
Carlos Zorrinho (S&D, Portugal)
Ashley Fox (ECR, United Kingdom)
Paloma López Bermejo (GUE/NGL, Spain)
Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Dario Tamburrano (EFDD, Italy)
Barbara Kappel (ENF, Austria) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in committee

Estimated breakdown of Digital Europe funding in current prices

Written by Krisztina Binder, graphics: Giulio Sabbati,

© boule1301 / Fotolia

On 18 April 2018, the European Commission proposed to the Council of the EU to sign and conclude two agreements with Singapore. These agreements were created by dividing the free trade agreement reached between the EU and Singapore (EUSFTA) in 2014, but not ratified, into separate trade and investment protection agreements. When presenting the agreements, the Commission underlined that they demonstrate the commitment of Singapore and the EU to fair trade and open markets. The Council of the EU is expected to authorise the signature of the agreements in October 2018. The Commission aims to have the trade agreement come into effect before the end of its mandate in 2019, after its approval by the Council and the European Parliament.

Singapore will be the first member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to sign bilateral trade and investment agreements with the EU. The EU views bilateral agreements with ASEAN members as steps towards achieving the final objective of a region-to-region trade and investment agreement with ASEAN. Therefore, the EU‑Singapore agreements are considered a reference as regards the EU’s ambition to conclude trade and investment agreements with other ASEAN members.

Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Singapore, of the other part Committee responsible: International Trade (INTA) Rapporteur:

2018/0093(NLE),
2018/0095 (NLE) David Martin (S&D, United Kingdom)

Read the complete briefing on ‘EU-Singapore trade and investment agreements close in on conclusion‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Cemal Karakas (1st edition),

© EtiAmmos / Fotolia

In June 2018, the European Commission proposed a total budget allocation of €100 billion to finance science, research and innovation projects during the 2021-2027 period, of which the vast majority, €94.1 billion in current prices, would be allocated to the Horizon Europe framework programme. The main aims are to strengthen science and technology, to foster industrial competiveness, and to implement the sustainable development goals in the EU. Horizon Europe would introduce new features such as the European Innovation Council, missions to promote research results, and new forms of partnerships. Horizon Europe also aims at reducing administrative burdens and promoting the concept of open science. More operational synergies are expected through better linkage with other EU programmes, such as cohesion policy (e.g. the European Social Fund), the Digital Europe programme, and the new European Defence Fund.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Horizon Europe: Framework programme for research and innovation 2021–2027‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe – the framework programme for research and innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination Committee responsible: Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) COM(2018) 435
7.6.2018 Rapporteur: Dan Nica (S&D, Romania) 2018/0224 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany)
Evžen Tošenovský (ECR, Czech Republic)
Lieve Wierinck (ALDE, Belgium)
Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE/NGL, Cyprus)
Jakop Dalunde (Greens/EFA, Sweden)
Rosa D’Amato (EFDD, Italy)
Barbara Kappel (ENF, Austria) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Committee vote

Written by Vivienne Halleux (1st edition),

© ArTo / Fotolia

On 29 May 2018, the European Commission adopted several proposals aimed at defining the architecture of EU cohesion policy for the post-2020 programming period. The package includes a proposal for the new generation of European territorial cooperation (ETC) programmes, commonly referred to as ‘Interreg’. The proposed regulation would bring significant changes to the current architecture of ETC, with the reshaping of the three traditional cooperation strands (i.e. crossborder, transnational and interregional cooperation) and the creation of two new components, one dedicated to outermost regions, the other to interregional cooperation on innovation. Another major novelty is the incorporation of cooperation with countries other than EU Member States. The proposal is being examined simultaneously by the Council and the European Parliament. In Parliament, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) is responsible for the file. The rapporteur released his draft report on 26 July 2018. The REGI committee is expected to vote on it in December 2018.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘European territorial cooperation (Interreg) 2021-2027‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on specific provisions for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) supported by the European Regional Development Fund and external financing instruments Committee responsible: Regional Development (REGI) COM(2018) 374
29.5.2018 Rapporteur: Pascal Arimont (EPP, Belgium) 2018/0199 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

  Kerstin Westphal (S&D, Germany)
Sławomir Kłosowski (ECR, Poland)
Martina Anderson (GUE/NGL, United Kingdom)
Bronis Ropė (Greens/EFA, Lithuania)
Rosa D’Amato (EFDD, Italy) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Committee vote

Written by Beatrix Immenkamp (1st edition),

© wetzkaz / Fotolia

In the context of the Commission’s proposal for a multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2021-2027 period, the Commission published a proposal for a regulation establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) on 14 June 2018. It is part of Heading 6 ‘Neighbourhood and the World’ of the proposed MFF, which sets out the main priorities and overall budgetary framework for the EU’s external action. The Commission proposes to allocate €89.2 billion (in current prices) to the NDICI for the 2021-2027 period. This represents an increase of 11 % compared to the resources allocated to the instruments and funds under the current MFF that the NDICI would replace. These include the European Development Fund (EDF), which is currently outside the MFF. Parliament has expressed concern about the proposed governance structure of the new instrument.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘A new neighbourhood, development and international cooperation instrument: Proposal for a new regulation‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument Committees responsible: Foreign Affairs (AFET)
Development (DEVE)
(joint committee procedure, Rule 55) COM(2018) 460
14.6.2018 Rapporteurs: Frank Engel (EPP, Luxembourg)
Cristian Dan Preda (EPP, Romania)
Pier Antonio Panzeri (S&D, Italy)
Charles Goerens (ALDE, Luxembourg) 2018/0243(COD) Next steps expected Joint committee hearing Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Written by Marketa Pape (1st edition),

© madpixblue / Fotolia

Strong, modern, and reliable infrastructure is essential to secure jobs, growth and competitiveness in the European Union. Given this need, the EU supports the development of high-performing, sustainable and interconnected trans-European networks in three areas: transport, energy and digital infrastructure.

The trans-European networks policy was consolidated in 2013 and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) set up as a dedicated financing instrument to channel EU funding into infrastructure networks, help eliminate market failures and attract further investment from the public and private sectors.

Following a mid-term evaluation, which confirmed the CEF programme’s capacity to bring significant EU added value, the European Commission proposes to renew the programme under the next long‑term EU budget. The European Parliament and the Council are expected to discuss the changes and proposed budget to ensure that, once adopted, the programme can stimulate the necessary infrastructure development, while also helping to achieve the EU’s climate change objectives.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Connecting Europe Facility 2021-2027: Financing key EU infrastructure networks‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Connecting Europe Facility and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1316/2013 and (EU) No 283/2014 Committees responsible: Transport and Tourism (TRAN)
Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)
(joint committee procedure, Rule 55) COM(2018) 438
6.6.2018 Rapporteurs: Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, Romania)
Henna Virkkunen (EPP, Finland)
Pavel Telička (ALDE, Czech Republic) 2018/0228(COD) Next steps expected Vote in committee Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)

Written by Alina Dobreva,

© tai111 / Fotolia

The budget of the European Union (EU budget) provides the EU with the means to finance its policies and to respond to challenges which occur. Due to its scope, the perception of the EU budget is linked to citizens’ perception of the EU as a whole, its legitimacy and reputation, as well as the performance of the EU institutions. This briefing analyses public opinion surveys related to the EU budget, in particular citizens’ preferences for greater EU financial means and their evaluation of the EU budget as ‘good’ or ‘poor’ value for money. It sets the analysis of public opinion in the context of debate on reforming the EU budget and on setting the next multiannual financial framework.

According to recent Eurobarometer data, 37 % of Europeans support the EU having greater financial means given its political objectives, and 31 % think that the EU budget gives good value for money for EU citizens. Although the demand for greater support and the positive opinion of the EU budget both have positive trends over time, there is still much to be addressed.

A closer look at the data demonstrates significant differences between the opinions across the Member States. Although a more sceptical trend can be observed amongst net contributor Member States, the diversity in the data cannot be explained only by the positioning of a country on the net contributor-net beneficiary continuum. The opinions of citizens across Member States vary in their values as well as in their direction of change over time. In addition, the opinions on the EU budget can be linked to personal factors – younger Europeans tend to express stronger support for greater EU financial means than older ones.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Public opinion and the EU budget – Who supports the EU budget? ‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Katarzyna Sochacka and Clare Ferguson,

© European Union 2018 – Source: EP

The highlight of the October I plenary session was the debate on the preparation of the European Council meeting on 18 and 19 October 2018. The series of debates on the Future of Europe continued, this time with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas. Montenegro’s President, Milo Đukanović, also addressed Parliament in a formal sitting. Parliament adopted, inter alia, legislative proposals on: audiovisual media services; VAT rules; strengthening the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust); mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation of criminal assets; the free flow of non-personal data within the EU; health technology assessment; and emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Parliament also voted its public procurement package, as well as a report on an amending budget regarding changes to pre-accession aid to Turkey.

Preparation of the European Council on 18 and 19 October 2018

Members made two main demands during the debate in advance of the European Council meeting on 18 and 19 October 2018: that EU leaders take significant steps on migration policy and reform of the European asylum system; and maintain a common position towards the United Kingdom while trying to reach an agreement on its withdrawal from the EU. In the migration context, the leaders will discuss a progress report at this European Council meeting, as agreed in their conclusions of June. Conclusions will also be adopted on internal security, resuming the discussions begun during the informal meeting and Leaders’ thematic debate held in Salzburg on 20 September 2018. Finally, on the margins of the session, a European Council (Article 50) meeting will take place, during which the 27 EU leaders are expected to review the overall state of the Brexit negotiations.

Formal sitting – Milo Đukanović, President of Montenegro

Montenegro’s President, Milo Đukanović, addressed the European Parliament, noting that the referendum in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia held on 30 September, while largely supportive of the proposed change to the country’s name, had elicited a low voter turnout. President Đukanović called for a change in EU policy towards the Balkans, and stated that greater preparation for the referendum would have helped citizens to better understand the importance of this decision for their country’s future.

President Đukanović also spoke about the progress his own country has made, becoming independent in 2006, and a member of NATO since 2017. With 31 of 33 negotiation chapters open, Montenegro is currently ahead of other EU membership candidates in the accession process.

Statements on UNRWA, Yemen and the UN instrument on corporations

Members debated with Commissioners Christos Stylianides and Johannes Hahn on the issue of the EU’s input to a United Nations Binding Instrument on transnational corporations with respect to human rights, as well as the situation in Yemen, and EU support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, following the United States’ withdrawal of financial support. With the exception of this last item, these statements were followed by a vote on EP resolutions. During the debate on UNRWA, several Members called upon the US to cancel its decision to cease contributions to UNRWA, and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, reiterated the EU’s political and financial support for the agency.

Audiovisual media services

Following the recommendations of the Committee on Culture and Education, Parliament voted to adopt its position on the proposals for a revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (452 votes for, 132 against and 65 abstentions), based on an agreement reached in trilogue on 26 April. It is now up to the Council to approve the new directive so that it can become law. The new rules will then apply 21 months after the directive enters into force. It should be noted that the agreed text includes better protection for children against harmful content, restrictions on advertising, and the application of new rules to video on demand and online video sharing.

Rules on VAT

Two reports on value added tax (VAT), where Parliament is only consulted, were debated and adopted, together with a third report on the application of the reverse charge and quick reaction mechanisms, seeking to update the VAT framework (which dates back to the 1960s), and take steps towards a definitive EU VAT system. Following several years of negotiations, the three texts in question were agreed between the Member States at the Ecofin Council on 2 October 2018. The first proposal concerns the harmonisation of VAT rates, which can distort the single market when, because of VAT charges, goods are more expensive in one country than in a neighbouring EU state. Countries would still be able to apply some VAT reductions in certain circumstances, and some goods would be exempted, but the proposed minimum would be 12 % to 15 %, with Parliament suggesting a maximum of 25 %. An EU VAT web information portal would also be set up to provide information on EU VAT rates, and Parliament expects the benefits of reduced rates to be transferred to consumers. The second proposal concerns the proposed VAT regime for cross-border trade; which aims to tackle VAT fraud, as well as simplifying the rules for e-commerce and for SMEs.

EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

The agreed text on the proposal to reinforce and enhance the role of the EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) was debated and adopted. This EU agency has seen its activities – in fighting terrorism, cybercrime, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings – escalate in recent years. Parliament is ready to support its increased workload through a new governance model, now that the equally necessary and connected function of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has been decided.

Mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders

Parliament also voted in favour of a new regulation, also agreed with the Council in trilogue, aimed at improving the legal framework governing the freezing and confiscation of criminal assets in cross-border cases. The new regulation would improve mutual recognition in criminal matters in the EU, as well as the procedures recognising, freezing and confiscating criminal gains. Importantly, the proposals also prioritise the victims of such crime and their rights to compensation and restitution.

Free flow of non-personal data in the European Union

Members debated and adopted a text agreed in trilogue on the free flow of non-personal data within the EU, aiming at allowing businesses to stock and process non-personal data (personal data, meaning that which can identify an individual, are already covered by the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR), anywhere in the EU without unjustified restriction (except for public security). The proposal enables data such as accounting and financial information to flow across borders in the EU, giving companies more choice in the location of their data services.

Amending budget No 5/2018: support to Turkey from IPA and reinforcement of ENI and of Humanitarian Aid

Parliament decided to cut the amount of pre-accession aid to Turkey in 2018 by €70 million. In its adoption (544 votes to 28 and 74 abstentions) of the report on draft amending budget No 5/2018, the EP expresses concern at the ongoing deterioration of fundamental rights and liberties and the rule of law in Turkey. Instead, Parliament chose to reinforce, in commitment appropriations, the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) to fund additional actions linked to the Central Mediterranean migratory route, as well as reinforcing, in payment appropriations, the funding available for humanitarian aid.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Two Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) decisions to enter into interinstitutional (trilogue) negotiations were confirmed. The ECON committee may therefore begin negotiations in view of preparing reports on the proposal for a directive and for a regulation on the prudential supervision of investment firms.

Read this ‘At a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, October I 2018‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Christiaan van Lierop,

The world’s largest annual gathering of local and regional representatives, the European Week of Regions and Cities, is undoubtedly one of the high points of the year for the EU regional policy community. Attracting some 6 000 participants to Brussels for four days packed full of learning and debate from 8 to 11 October 2018, this year’s event looks set to be bigger and better than ever before, with over 150 sessions included on the 2018 official programme. What is more, with the EWRC moving to a new central Brussels venue in 2018, Europe’s go-to event for regional policy experts just got better – and the EPRS is delighted to be part of the action once again.

Organised under the headline of ‘For a strong EU Cohesion Policy beyond 2020’, the 16th European Week of Regions and Cities will place a strong emphasis on the current negotiations on the 2021-2027 cohesion policy framework, as well as focusing on such key issues as growth and regional development, the territorial impact of globalisation and digital transformation, and the regional dimension of climate change, as well as education, culture and youth.

As in previous years, the EPRS has published a Topical Digest to tie in with the event. Specially prepared for this year’s EWRC, this publication includes a selection of briefings and studies published by the European Parliament covering some of the main issues up for discussion at the EWRC, such as the legislative proposals under the new cohesion policy package, the digital single market and regional governance, to name but a few.

We will also be present at a special information stand during the whole week where experts from the EPRS’s Structural Policies and Linking the Levels units will be on hand to provide you with more information about EPRS research activities, and to distribute some of our specialist publications on regional policy and beyond. Moreover, we will also be providing visitors with information about the 2019 elections to the European Parliament, supported by our colleagues from Parliament’s Directorate General for Communications, including Parliament’s ‘What Europe does for me‘ project, an easy and clickable guide to what the EU is doing in your local area.

Our involvement in the 2018 European Week of Regions and Cities doesn’t just stop there. For the third year running, the EPRS will also be organising a workshop on research as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities’ Master Class on EU cohesion policy for students and early career researchers. As well as examining how the EPRS supports the work of the European Parliament during the policy making process, this year’s workshop will focus on the current negotiations on cohesion and regional policy, providing participants with the opportunity to share their ideas on the legislative proposals under the MFF package with EPRS experts. In particular, we will be encouraging participants to put forward their recommendations on how to address some of the key challenges identified in the Commission’s proposals, which the EPRS will publish after the workshop. This will give participants the opportunity to make a direct contribution to the policymaking process whilst at the same time putting into practice the EPRS motto, which guides us in all of our work: ‘Empowering through knowledge’.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for seniors using e-health services.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

Did you know that 30 % of Europeans will be over 65 in 2060? Our population is ageing and the number of people with age-related impairments is expected to reach 84 million already in 2020.

To address the challenges posed by an ageing society, the EU promotes E-health solutions based on communication technologies to improve prevention, diagnosis, and patients’ treatment.

© De Visu / Fotolia

The EU funds several research projects in the field of telemedicine services for improving distant healthcare, especially for seniors living in remote or sparsely populated areas where there is a lack of specialised healthcare professionals. For instance, thanks to the CommonWell project, new solutions for a better monitoring of patients with heart failure were developed. Mobile Health services are also increasingly accessible using a mobile phone. For instance, apps can be used to remind you to take your medication or help administer insulin to a diabetic.

Service and care robots could also play a supportive role in the life of many patients and elderly people. That’s why the EU is funding research in robotics. Thanks to the Silver project, seniors can already purchase a robot to help them to walk better and stand up. The GrowMeUp Project is developing personal care assistant robots to help seniors and dependent or disabled people to live independently at home. Zacharias, a prototype robot, is being tested to assist people at home and will be able to alert your family or your doctor automatically in case of need.

Further information

• EPRS publication ‘How assistive technologies could make society more inclusive of people with disabilities’, 2018,
  https://epthinktank.eu/2018/01/17/how-assistive-technologies-could-make-society-more-inclusive-of-people-with-disabilities/
• European Commission webpage on policies for ageing well with ICT,
  https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/ageing-well
• European Commission webpage ‘Silver Economy strategy’,
  https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/growing-silver-economy-europe

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for internet users whose personal data is collected online.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

Are you one of the 71 % of people in the EU that use the internet every day or almost every day? The rapid development of digital technologies means we increasingly use the internet in our daily activities. As citizens and consumers, you probably use public institutions’ or companies’ services online: from filing a tax declaration to shopping online or using social media. When you access these services, personal data about you are collected and transferred. While more than 70 % of Europeans feel they have to provide personal data to obtain products or services, they are also concerned about not having complete control over what their data are used for.

© Andrey Popov / Fotolia

To promote fair use of personal data and allow you to enjoy your related rights, the EU has taken several initiatives. From May 2018, new rules, adapted to the new technologies, will strengthen these rights. These include: getting easy-to-understand information, in particular for children, on how data are used; being asked for your approval, unless there is a legitimate need to collect your data; freedom to transfer your data from one service provider to another (data portability); to have your data deleted if you no longer want them online and there is no legitimate grounds to keep them (the right to be forgotten). Data protection must also be respected when accessing free digital content (such as media platforms, online games) and when data are transferred outside the EU.

Now that you know about your rights, the EU also provides information on the remedies available in case of infringement.

Further information

• EPRS publication on Fundamental rights implications of big data, https://epthinktank.eu/2017/03/10/fundamental-rights-implications-of-big-data-plenary-podcast/
• EPRS publication on Contracts for the supply of digital content and personal data protection, https://epthinktank.eu/2017/05/16/contracts-for-the-supply-of-digital-content-and-personal-data-protection/
• EPRS publication on Transatlantic data flows, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2016/583773/EPRS_ATA(2016)583773_EN.pdf
• European Commission’s Directorate General for Justice and Consumers, data protection website https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection_en

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

© niroworld / Fotolia

With less than six months to go before the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union, there is a palpable sense of tension surrounding the Brexit negotiations. At their most recent meeting in Salzburg, Austria, in September, EU leaders in effect rejected British Prime Minister Theresa May’s ‘Chequers’ plan’ for the UK’s future relationship with the EU. The move prompted acrimony among British politicians and jolted the financial markets, fearful of a no-deal Brexit. However, both sides are working hard to make progress in negotiations ahead of the next European Council meeting, on 18 October.

This note offers links to reports and commentaries from some major international think-tanks and research institutes on Brexit negotiations and related issues. More reports on the topic can be found in a previous edition of ‘What Think Tanks are thinking’, published in June 2018.

Brexit brief
Institute of International and European Affairs, September 2018

Digesting the Salzburg summit
Bruegel, September 2018

After Salzburg: Time for realistic UK proposals on the Irish border and future relations
Scottish Centre on European Relations, September 2018

After Salzburg: How to salvage the Brexit negotiations
Centre for European Reform, September 2018

Brexit: Who will blink first?
Carnegie Europe, September 2018

The Brexit endgame: A guide to the parliamentary process of withdrawal from the European Union
A UK in a Changing Europe, September 2018

The UK’s chronic Brexit crisis
Scottish Centre on European Relations, September 2018

Extending the transition period
European Policy Centre, September 2018

The road to nowhere? Prospects for a post-Brexit trade deal
European Policy Centre, September 2018

Le Brexit et la grande lassitude du peuple britannique
Institut Montaigne, September 2018

A guide to Brexit and data flows
Jacques Delors Institute Berlin, September 2018

Brexit: Six months to go
Institute for Government, September 2018

There’s nothing ‘super’ about Boris Johnson’s tired old Brexit ideas
Centre for European Reform, September 2018

Post-Brexit: What could a transformative, values-based EU and UK partnership in Foreign Policy look like?
Foreign Policy Centre, September 2018

Safer together: The United Kingdom and the future of European security and defence
Friends of Europe, September 2018

Brexit and the Irish question IN FOCUS: Part one: Ireland’s slow Road to peace
Wilfried Martens Centre, September 2018

Will Eurosceptics compromise to get Brexit over the line?
Chatham House, September 2018

Is a Brexit deal possible?
Carnegie Europe, September 2018

Negotiating Brexit: Policing and criminal justice
Institute for Government, September 2018

The cost of Brexit to June 2018
Centre for European Reform, September 2018

Do voters still want to leave the EU? How they view the Brexit process two years on
A UK in a Changing Europe, September 2018

Immigration after Brexit
Policy Exchange, September 2018

Cost of no deal revisited
A UK in a Changing Europe, September 2018

LSE blog: Brexit
London School of Economics, September 2018

The long arm of Whitehall post-Brexit: Evidence from the Common Assembly (1952-1956)
DCU Brexit Institute, September 2018

Brexit deadline looms for citizens’ campaign to secure permanent EU citizenship
Polish Institute of International Affairs, September 2018

Criminal justice and police cooperation between the EU and the UK after Brexit: Towards a principled and trust-based partnership
Centre for European Policy Studies, August 2018

Brexit: Beyond the transition
European Policy Centre, August 2018

Autumn surprises: Possible scenarios for the next phase of Brexit
Institute for Government, August 2018

Partnering for democracy: Protecting the democratic order in post-Brexit Europe
Real Instituto Elcano, August 2018

An orderly ‘no deal’ Brexit would still come with costs
Chatham House, August 2018

The Brexit white paper: What does it mean for higher education and research?
A UK in a Changing Europe, August 2018

Labouring toward a new Brexit vote
Carnegie Europe, August 2018

Sustaining Europe’s security trio
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, August 2018

Ten different formulas for Gibraltar post-Brexit
DCU Brexit Institute, July 2018

Brexit: Next steps in UK’s withdrawal from the EU
House of Commons Library, 2018

Read this briefing on ‘Brexit negotiations‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Magdalena Pasikowska-Schnass (1st edition),

© Freepik / Fotolia

Having considered the possibility of merging the Creative Europe programme with other programmes supporting European values, rights and justice, the European Commission has decided to continue the Creative Europe programme as a stand-alone programme and increase its budget by 17 %. The only programme focusing exclusively cultural and creative activities and enterprises, it falls under the ‘Cohesion and values’ heading of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework.

The existing programme focuses on the economic dimension of the cultural sector and its contribution to job creation and economic growth. Some stakeholders have voiced concern at taking such a strongly economic approach to culture. Under proposed programme, the economic dimension is one axis alongside the social dimension, and culture’s contribution to international relations. The proposed framework for cultural policy therefore highlights not only the economic dimension of the cultural and creative sectors, but also the role of culture in social cohesion and its relation to creative and artistic freedom and diversity, and freedom and plurality of media.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Creative Europe programme 2021-2027‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Creative Europe programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 Committee responsible: Culture and Education (CULT) COM(2018) 366
30.5.2018 Rapporteur: Silvia Costa (S&D, Italy) 2018/0190 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

 

  Bogdan Brunon Wenta (EPP, Poland)
Rupert Matthews (ECR, UK)
Mircea Diaconu (ALDE, Romania)
Martina Michels (GUE/NGL, Germany)
Helga Trüpel (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD, Italy)
Dominique Bilde (ENF, France) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

© iQoncept / Fotoli

Citizens’ frequently send enquiries to the European Parliament on the topic of seasonal clock changes. Whereas some citizens call on the institution to abolish the current summer and winter-time arrangements, others are in favour of keeping them.

The current EU legislation defining summer-time as ‘the period of the year during which clocks are put forward by 60 minutes compared with the rest of the year’, as well as its beginning ‘on the last Sunday in March’ and ending ‘on the last Sunday in October’, is Directive 2000/84/EC on summer-time arrangements. The directive states that a common date and time for the beginning and end of the summer-time period throughout the EU ‘is important for the functioning of the internal market’.

Commission proposal

Following the European Parliament’s resolution of 8 February 2018 and a public consultation on summer-time arrangements, the European Commission presented a proposal for a directive discontinuing seasonal changes of time and repealing Directive 2000/84/EC on 12 September 2018. The Commission proposes that ‘Member States shall not apply seasonal changes to their standard time or times’ (Article 1).

The new directive should apply from 1 April 2019 and aims ‘at contributing in a determined manner to the smooth functioning of the internal market’. The proposal also underlines that ‘it is desirable that Member States take the decisions on the standard time that each of them will apply as from 2019 in a concerted manner’.

Further information on the legislative procedure is available in file 2018/0332(COD) of the European Parliament’s Legislative Observatory.

Public consultation

The Commission’s proposal is accompanied by the report of results of the public consultation on EU summer-time arrangements carried out from 4 July to 16 August 2018.

The public consultation gathered European citizens’, stakeholders’ and Member States’ views on possible changes to the current summer-time arrangements and followed the Parliament’s resolution, as well as a number of requests from citizens and from certain EU Member States. The consultation received around 4.6 million replies. According to the results, 84 % of the respondents were in favour of discontinuing the bi-annual clock changes.

The European Commission opened a feedback period on the proposal for a directive (17 September – 12 November 2018).

European Parliament’s resolution

On 8 February 2018, the European Parliament held a debate on the summer-time arrangements. Members of the European Parliament subsequently adopted a resolution, in which the European Parliament calls on the Commission ‘to conduct a thorough assessment of Directive 2000/84/EC and, if necessary, come up with a proposal for its revision’. More information can be found in the press release ‘Parliament calls for thorough assessment of bi-annual time change‘.

Parliamentary questions and petitions

Summer-time arrangements have also been the subject of a number of parliamentary questions and petitions.

Further information

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) published the study ‘EU summer-time arrangements under Directive 2000/84/EC‘ in October 2017. The European Commission website on Mobility and Transport and the fact sheet on ‘State of the Union 2018: Q&A on the Commission’s proposal to put an end to seasonal clock changes‘ provide further information on the issue.

Continue to put your questions to the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP). We reply to you in the EU language that you use to write to us.

Written by Marcin Szczepański (1st edition),

© Pixelot / Fotolia

For the next long-term EU budget framework (2021-2027), the Commission is proposing a new, dedicated €4 billion programme aimed at empowering and protecting consumers, and enabling Europe’s many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take better advantage of a well-functioning single market. The financial envelope will be supplemented with the additional allocation of €2 billion under the InvestEU Fund, in particular through its SME window.

The new programme aims to strengthen and streamline the governance of the EU’s internal market. It will support the competitiveness of business, and promote human, animal and plant health and a safe food chain, as well as financing European statistics to provide reliable data relevant to the single market. The proposal consolidates and streamlines a wide range of activities that were previously financed separately, and bundles them into one programme. The aim here is to generate benefits in terms of flexibility, simplification and synergies, and eliminate overlaps.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Supporting the single market beyond 2020‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the programme for single market, competitiveness of enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and European statistics and repealing Regulations (EU) No 99/2013, (EU) No 1287/2013, (EU) No 254/2014, (EU) No 258/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 and (EU) 2017/826 Committee responsible: Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) COM(2018) 441
7.6.2018 Rapporteur: Nicola Danti (S&D, Italy) 2018/0231(COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

  Inese Vaidere (EPP, Latvia)
Jasenko Selimovic (ALDE, Sweden)
Igor Šoltes (Greens/EFA, Slovenia) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated breakdown of the single market programme elements

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for EU citizens living in EU outermost regions.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

If you live in one of the European islands and territories far from the continent, the EU provides special assistance to your region. Nine regions are classified as EU outermost regions owing to their remoteness from the European continent: five French overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte and Réunion), one French overseas community (Saint-Martin), two Portuguese autonomous regions (Madeira and the Azores) and one Spanish autonomous community (the Canary Islands).

© yoann_f / Fotolia

These regions face particular challenges including, for example, remoteness, high unemployment, exposure to natural disasters, and energy supply, and the EU is committed to supporting them. The Treaty on the Functioning of the EU provides for specific measures in areas such as customs, trade and agriculture to support their development. For example, the ‘Programme of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity’, known as POSEI, promotes specific arrangements to ensure that food and other essential products remain affordable. A similar system is also in place for fisheries. The POSEI programme provides more than €100 million to Portugal, some €270 million to Spain, and almost €280 million to France. Together with the EU cohesion policy and €6.6 billion allocated under EU funds, the total support amounts to €13 billion.

This money turns into very concrete projects. In Mayotte, for example, the EU has funded the professionalisation of vanilla production, the creation of a university centre on the island in 2015 and the building of a hospital on ‘Petite Terre’ in 2014.

Further information

• “Outermost Regions (ORs) | EU Fact Sheets | European Parliament.” http://www.europarl.europa.eu/atyourservice/en/displayFtu.html?ftuId=FTU_3.1.7.html

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for cross-border marriages.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

Falling in love is never predictable, and when a couple decides to marry, nationality is usually the last thing on their minds. A growing proportion of EU marriages are between persons of different nationalities, however cross-border marriages do come with additional formalities and legal complexities.

Laws on marriage are decided by individual EU countries. EU powers are limited to facilitating free movement of persons and developing judicial cooperation on cross-border issues.

If you are planning to marry a citizen of another EU country, you will be happy to learn that administrative formalities will soon be easier. Until recently, EU administrations demanded translation and legalisation of foreign documents, but this procedure was simplified in 2016 with an EU law. As of 16 February 2019, couples won’t need to pay for legalisation of their translated documents, and a multilingual standard form will be introduced for documents like birth or marriage certificates.

© glogoski / Fotolia

International EU couples may discover, however, that choosing a matrimonial property regime is subject to complicated rules. Recognising the problem, 18 EU countries cooperated to adopt a law in 2016 that sets out the rules applicable to matrimonial property regimes in cross-border situations.

Finally, EU rules come to the help of married couples when they move in together. Freedom of movement is one of the EU’s basic foundations. All EU citizens can move to another EU country to live, work and study. A spouse who wants to join their partner, but does not plan to work or study is entitled to residence as a dependant.

Further information

• European Commission website on marriage, https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/family/couple/marriage/index_en.htm
• European Commission website ‘Your EU spouse and children’, https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/family-residence-rights/eu-wife-husband-children/index_en.htm
• Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 on promoting the free movement of citizens by simplifying the requirements for presenting certain public documents in the EU, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM%3A230101_2

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for child victims of violence.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

Unfortunately, children are still victims of abuse and violence across Europe. Although it is difficult to assess the extent of violence against children and much of it remains hidden, existing estimates give cause for great concern. Violence against children can take various forms (physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or neglect) and can happen in numerous situations (at home or in the family, at school, within institutions responsible for childcare, or within the community).

Children have the same rights as adults because human rights apply to all age groups. Lacking in physical and psychological maturity they are particularly vulnerable and they need protection in order to grow and develop.

© soupstock / Fotolia

Although child protection systems are principally the responsibility of individual countries, the European Union also plays an important role. The EU is deeply committed to protecting children against violence. For that purpose, it has adopted a number of laws (for example against sexual abuse and exploitation and child pornography, against human trafficking, and for the protection of children in criminal proceedings) and initiatives (better internet for children). EU action in this area has a direct impact on the relevant laws and policies introduced by EU countries.

To protect children’s rights and combat violence towards children more effectively, the EU is also funding a number of projects within its Rights, Equality and Citizenship, and Justice programmes, both running until 2020.

Further information

• EPRS publication on violence towards children in the EU, 2014, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2014/542139/EPRS_IDA(2014)542139_EN.pdf
• European Commission, website on violence against children, https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/rights-child/violence-against-children_en
• EPRS publication on combating sexual abuse of children (Directive 2011/93/EU), 2017, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/598614/EPRS_STU(2017)598614_EN.pdf