Robbers try bite ring off finger
'Oh my God, I'm going to die!'
Bejaarde getakel toe ring nie afkom
Op Kommando: Afrikaner Weerbaarheid
Shoot me too, says wife
Wo Afrikaaner unter sich bleiben können
Painter held for woman's murder
Predikantsvrou geskiet
Farmer dies in same spot as mom
'Verdagte het oorledene en gesin verraai'
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Open Europe press summary: 4 February 2009
Europe
Commission launches 1.8m euro publicity campaign to target Lisbon No voters
The Irish Times reports that the European Commission is spending 1.8 million euros on a communications strategy to target Irish women, young people and low-income families with information about the EU. The article notes that blogging, cinema advertising, and advertising in women's and youth magazines are key parts of a 12 month EU-Ireland information plan, which specifically targets segments of the public that voted in large numbers against the Lisbon Treaty.
The Commission yesterday rejected any suggestion that its Irish communications strategy was part of a campaign to get the Lisbon Treaty passed in a second referendum. "There will be no advocacy or publicity campaign ahead of the second referendum," said Joe Hennon, Spokesman for EU Communications Commissioner Margot Wallstrom. He said any extra resources would be for several years and would aim to address the problem of a lack of knowledge about the EU.
The closing date for the Commission's call for the tender is 24 February and the communications strategy is expected to be rolled out as soon as the contract is signed.
Meanwhile, The Parliament reports that the European Parliament is to review its decision to grant financial assistance to Libertas, the anti-Lisbon Treaty group. The Parliament had backed Libertas' application on Monday, granting it 200,000 euros of funding, but will now reconsider the decision "in the next few weeks." The move comes after Estonian MP Igor Grazin denied putting his name to an application by Libertas to apply for official status as a pan-European party.
Under EU rules, an organisation seeking to become a pan-European party entitling it to EU funds must obtain the signatures of elected representatives from at least seven EU member states. If Grazin withdraws his support Libertas will have signatures from only six nations.
Irish Times The Parliament Irish Times 2 European Voice
Strikes on use of foreign labour continue;
Italy accused of hypocrisy in application of EU law
Wildcat industrial strikes are continuing over the use of foreign labour at the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire. The FT reports that British PM Gordon Brown is resisting union demands to tighten the law on the use of foreign workers, as the conciliation service Acas is examining the awarding of a sub-contract to an Italian company to determine if any British or EU law was broken.
The BBC reports that an initial deal to resolve the dispute has been rejected. Derek Simpson, the joint General Secretary of the UNITE union has said that "Even if this dispute is settled [there is] still a major problem about how these foreign companies, who win contracts and come complete with a workforce, are going to create other difficulties."
The Telegraph reports that Italy has been accused of hypocrisy in its application of EU law over a 20-year dispute for British lecturers to receive equal pay and conditions in Italian universities, while calling for the rights of Italian nationals to be protected in Britain. David Petrie, the Chairman of the Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy said "It is total hypocrisy and they know it...The Italian courts are experts at tying you up in legal battles for years and the Italian government just digs its heels in."
A separate article in the FT argues that at the "heart" of the strikes is "whether employers of foreign workers should be allowed to undercut the pay of indigenous employees". EU free movement laws allow foreign contractors to bring their own staff from overseas and grant them the same legal rights as British employees. However, unions argue that this undermines industry pay agreements reached separately in the UK which are not legally binding, unlike in France, Belgium or Germany. According to figures from the European Commission, 47,000 UK workers were posted to European countries in 2006, which is three times more than 15,000 foreign workers posted to the UK.
Writing in the Guardian's Comment is Free section, author Philippe Legrain argues that if British workers are being discriminated against, it is unacceptable, but otherwise the free movement of labour is at the very heart of the EU and without it, the EU would "unravel".
Conservative MP Bill Cash will today present a Bill in Parliament to provide for "workers or members of a trade union who are UK nationals shall have rights of employment in the United Kingdom equal to or as favourable as those afforded to foreign nationals or conferred by the United Kingdom Parliament." The Irish Times reports that the Scottish National Party's Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, has requested that the European Scrutiny Committee examine the legislation covering the free movement of labour.
The CBI's Deputy-Director John Cridland told the Home Affairs Committee yesterday that the use of migrant labour in Britain would decline as companies faced a fall in demand for their goods and services, reports the Guardian.
WSJ WSJ: Editorial Guardian Guardian: Legrain Telegraph Spectator: Coffee House blog Conservative Home FT FT 2 FT 3 Mail Irish Times BBC Le Monde
The Malta Independent features Open Europe's most recent research entitled "Out of control? Measuring a decade of EU regulation", which quantifies the cost of EU regulation to Malta at 417 million euros over the past ten years.
Malta Independent Out of control? Measuring a decade of EU regulation
Obama seeks to avoid potential trade war between US and EU
US President Barack Obama has stated that he wants to avoid protectionist measures that would lead to a potential trade war between the EU and the US. The EU yesterday threatened legal action and retaliatory measures against the US for the 'Buy American' clause in its multibillion dollar economic stimulus package. The Commission - concerned about protectionist measures in India, Russia and elsewhere - said it could take the US to the World Trade Organisation for breaching treaty rules on government procurement.
According to the Guardian, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the World Economic Forum, in Davos last week: "We must not allow market forces to be completely distorted. I'm wary of seeing subsidies injected into the US auto industry. That could lead to distortion and protectionism." The Times reports that President Obama stated his intention to try to defuse the situation yesterday, saying that "I think it would be a mistake at a time when worldwide trade is declining, for us to start sending a message that somehow we're just looking after ourselves and not concerned with world trade."
Times Times 2 Guardian Telegraph NZZ FT FT 2 Mail Irish Independent Irish Times Express Mirror Sun BBC European Voice Mail: Synon blog
S&P on Spanish record unemployment: euro membership part of the problem;
Barroso: "no consensus for new eurozone summit"
The Telegraph reports that Spain lost almost 200,000 jobs in January in the worst one-month rise since records began, lifting the unemployment rate to 14.4pc and according to Le Figaro, leading to 3.3 million people unemployed, its highest point for 12 years. Finance Minister Pedro Solbes is quoted in the Telegraph saying, "There is almost nothing Madrid can do to halt the downward spiral", with the newspaper commenting that while he has avoided blaming Spain's euro membership for the country's plight, there is no question that Spain's failure to adapt to the rigours of EMU is at the root of its structural crisis. Standard & Poor's reportedly said euro membership had become part of the problem since it prevented the country resorting to aggressive monetary stimulus to counter the housing crash, or from devaluing to restore competitiveness.
Meanwhile, HLN reports that a spokesman for Commission President Jose Barroso said there is "no consensus to organise a new summit of heads of state and government of the eurozone currently exists", responding to earlier calls for a summit from French President Nicolas Sarkozy. A spokesman for German Chancellor Merkel is quoted saying that the finance ministers of the Eurozone gather every month, adding that "experience has taught us that some eurogroup matters are better not discussed in public".
Wolfgang Munchau comments in the FTD that it is hard to predict whether the eurozone will break up. However, he argues that Germany is unlikely to come to the rescue if required: "I can image that if Merkel or Steinbrück would have to save the euro, then I believe that the likeliness of that is barely more than zero. The markets believe that as well".
Telegraph: Evans-Pritchard FTD: Munchau HLN
EU struggles with national plans to rescue car manufacturers
MEPs, the European Council and the EU Commission are to hold a debate this afternoon to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on the car industry which is likely to be dominated by accusations of protectionism and state intervention.
EurActiv
Vote on extending freedom of movement to Bulgaria and Romania critical to Switzerland's relations with EU
Euractiv reports that Switzerland will vote on Sunday to decide whether to allow Bulgarian and Romanian citizens to work freely in the country. Swiss Ambassador to the EU, Jacques de Watteville, has explained that under a "guillotine clause" negotiated in 1999, a number of related trade agreements would be automatically terminated in the event of a negative vote. "Let's say that in the case of a negative vote, Switzerland would place itself in a difficult situation. And this would not be an easy situation for the Union either," he said.
IHT EurActiv
The European Parliament has backed ambitious climate goals for 2050, namely a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80%, improve energy efficiency by 35%, and increase the share of renewables in the EU's energy mix to 60%. MEPs also called for the Czech Presidency and the Commission to present plans for the EU to diversify its energy supplies.
EurActiv FTD
In response to US plans for a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe, Russia and Belarus have announced joint plans for a military system to defend their airspace.
WSJ
Tony Barber: EU still enthusiastic for enlargement
In an article in the FT Tony Barber looks at EU enlargement, assessing the membership prospects of the applicant countries. He notes that despite a degree of 'enlargement fatigue' in some of the older member states, "2009 may turn out to be a year of surprises. By December, the EU could see one country (Croatia) completing its accession talks, another (Turkey) making progress, a third (the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia) preparing to start membership negotiations, and five others (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro and Serbia) having submitted formal applications to join."
FT FT: Leader
Quatremer: "Guantanamo and Czech discomfort"
Jean Quatremer argues on his blog that the closure of Guantanamo Prison has embarrassed the Czech government which had supported US President Bush's line of using the prison. "The Czechs' silence on its closure and refusal to call a meeting of European leaders to discuss the future of the prison's detainees" is, according to Quatremer, "a clear sign of its discomfort." He believes this is why the EU has been so hesitant in adopting a common line towards accepting detainees. However, Quatremer notes that the Czech government is now showing itself willing to take the initiative by deciding to address the issue during the next council of EU Foreign Ministers on 24-25 February.
Coulisses de Bruxelles
In an interview with Trade Negotiations Insight, EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton has assured that access to development funds for African, Pacific and Caribbean nations will not be made conditional on progress in negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements.
ICTSD
PriceWaterhouseCoopers has warned that the economic crisis in Germany will be longer due to EU bureaucracy, with the head of their German division quoted as saying, "EU bureaucracy hinders Germany investing billions through its stimulus program".
Focus
Any plans to set up "bad banks" in the EU must not leave taxpayers overexposed to more losses, according to Internal Market Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy. McCreevy also called for tougher regulation on the trading of certain financial instruments, such as credit derivatives.
Irish Times IHT
European companies fear that new Commission proposals to tackle VAT fraud will put a disproportionate responsibility on companies, who risk being severely punished for making the smallest of errors.
MKB
UK
Clarke: "We have to address" excessive regulation
In a speech printed in the Independent, Shadow Business Secretary Ken Clarke argues that it was the quality, not quantity, of regulation in the banking sector that contributed to the economic crisis, and writes that "But that does not mean that other sectors of industry should be excessively regulated". He also goes on to say that "the excessive regulation of the rest of the UK economy should not be off the agenda", because "It still matters that it takes twice as long to set up a company in this country as it does in France... and we have to address that".
Independent: Clarke
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas wants to tighten the points-based system for immigration from outside the EU so that non-EU nationals do not take jobs that might otherwise go to British graduates.
Independent
The Guardian reports that the Government is almost certain to fail on its key environmental manifesto pledge to cut emissions of carbon dioxide from 1990 levels by 20% by 2010.
Guardian Guardian 2
World
Iran yesterday launched the country's first domestically produced satellite into orbit, intensifying western fears over its ballistic missile capabilities.
Times Guardian Independent Telegraph: Leader
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Commission launches 1.8m euro publicity campaign to target Lisbon No voters
The Irish Times reports that the European Commission is spending 1.8 million euros on a communications strategy to target Irish women, young people and low-income families with information about the EU. The article notes that blogging, cinema advertising, and advertising in women's and youth magazines are key parts of a 12 month EU-Ireland information plan, which specifically targets segments of the public that voted in large numbers against the Lisbon Treaty.
The Commission yesterday rejected any suggestion that its Irish communications strategy was part of a campaign to get the Lisbon Treaty passed in a second referendum. "There will be no advocacy or publicity campaign ahead of the second referendum," said Joe Hennon, Spokesman for EU Communications Commissioner Margot Wallstrom. He said any extra resources would be for several years and would aim to address the problem of a lack of knowledge about the EU.
The closing date for the Commission's call for the tender is 24 February and the communications strategy is expected to be rolled out as soon as the contract is signed.
Meanwhile, The Parliament reports that the European Parliament is to review its decision to grant financial assistance to Libertas, the anti-Lisbon Treaty group. The Parliament had backed Libertas' application on Monday, granting it 200,000 euros of funding, but will now reconsider the decision "in the next few weeks." The move comes after Estonian MP Igor Grazin denied putting his name to an application by Libertas to apply for official status as a pan-European party.
Under EU rules, an organisation seeking to become a pan-European party entitling it to EU funds must obtain the signatures of elected representatives from at least seven EU member states. If Grazin withdraws his support Libertas will have signatures from only six nations.
Irish Times The Parliament Irish Times 2 European Voice
Strikes on use of foreign labour continue;
Italy accused of hypocrisy in application of EU law
Wildcat industrial strikes are continuing over the use of foreign labour at the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire. The FT reports that British PM Gordon Brown is resisting union demands to tighten the law on the use of foreign workers, as the conciliation service Acas is examining the awarding of a sub-contract to an Italian company to determine if any British or EU law was broken.
The BBC reports that an initial deal to resolve the dispute has been rejected. Derek Simpson, the joint General Secretary of the UNITE union has said that "Even if this dispute is settled [there is] still a major problem about how these foreign companies, who win contracts and come complete with a workforce, are going to create other difficulties."
The Telegraph reports that Italy has been accused of hypocrisy in its application of EU law over a 20-year dispute for British lecturers to receive equal pay and conditions in Italian universities, while calling for the rights of Italian nationals to be protected in Britain. David Petrie, the Chairman of the Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy said "It is total hypocrisy and they know it...The Italian courts are experts at tying you up in legal battles for years and the Italian government just digs its heels in."
A separate article in the FT argues that at the "heart" of the strikes is "whether employers of foreign workers should be allowed to undercut the pay of indigenous employees". EU free movement laws allow foreign contractors to bring their own staff from overseas and grant them the same legal rights as British employees. However, unions argue that this undermines industry pay agreements reached separately in the UK which are not legally binding, unlike in France, Belgium or Germany. According to figures from the European Commission, 47,000 UK workers were posted to European countries in 2006, which is three times more than 15,000 foreign workers posted to the UK.
Writing in the Guardian's Comment is Free section, author Philippe Legrain argues that if British workers are being discriminated against, it is unacceptable, but otherwise the free movement of labour is at the very heart of the EU and without it, the EU would "unravel".
Conservative MP Bill Cash will today present a Bill in Parliament to provide for "workers or members of a trade union who are UK nationals shall have rights of employment in the United Kingdom equal to or as favourable as those afforded to foreign nationals or conferred by the United Kingdom Parliament." The Irish Times reports that the Scottish National Party's Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, has requested that the European Scrutiny Committee examine the legislation covering the free movement of labour.
The CBI's Deputy-Director John Cridland told the Home Affairs Committee yesterday that the use of migrant labour in Britain would decline as companies faced a fall in demand for their goods and services, reports the Guardian.
WSJ WSJ: Editorial Guardian Guardian: Legrain Telegraph Spectator: Coffee House blog Conservative Home FT FT 2 FT 3 Mail Irish Times BBC Le Monde
The Malta Independent features Open Europe's most recent research entitled "Out of control? Measuring a decade of EU regulation", which quantifies the cost of EU regulation to Malta at 417 million euros over the past ten years.
Malta Independent Out of control? Measuring a decade of EU regulation
Obama seeks to avoid potential trade war between US and EU
US President Barack Obama has stated that he wants to avoid protectionist measures that would lead to a potential trade war between the EU and the US. The EU yesterday threatened legal action and retaliatory measures against the US for the 'Buy American' clause in its multibillion dollar economic stimulus package. The Commission - concerned about protectionist measures in India, Russia and elsewhere - said it could take the US to the World Trade Organisation for breaching treaty rules on government procurement.
According to the Guardian, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the World Economic Forum, in Davos last week: "We must not allow market forces to be completely distorted. I'm wary of seeing subsidies injected into the US auto industry. That could lead to distortion and protectionism." The Times reports that President Obama stated his intention to try to defuse the situation yesterday, saying that "I think it would be a mistake at a time when worldwide trade is declining, for us to start sending a message that somehow we're just looking after ourselves and not concerned with world trade."
Times Times 2 Guardian Telegraph NZZ FT FT 2 Mail Irish Independent Irish Times Express Mirror Sun BBC European Voice Mail: Synon blog
S&P on Spanish record unemployment: euro membership part of the problem;
Barroso: "no consensus for new eurozone summit"
The Telegraph reports that Spain lost almost 200,000 jobs in January in the worst one-month rise since records began, lifting the unemployment rate to 14.4pc and according to Le Figaro, leading to 3.3 million people unemployed, its highest point for 12 years. Finance Minister Pedro Solbes is quoted in the Telegraph saying, "There is almost nothing Madrid can do to halt the downward spiral", with the newspaper commenting that while he has avoided blaming Spain's euro membership for the country's plight, there is no question that Spain's failure to adapt to the rigours of EMU is at the root of its structural crisis. Standard & Poor's reportedly said euro membership had become part of the problem since it prevented the country resorting to aggressive monetary stimulus to counter the housing crash, or from devaluing to restore competitiveness.
Meanwhile, HLN reports that a spokesman for Commission President Jose Barroso said there is "no consensus to organise a new summit of heads of state and government of the eurozone currently exists", responding to earlier calls for a summit from French President Nicolas Sarkozy. A spokesman for German Chancellor Merkel is quoted saying that the finance ministers of the Eurozone gather every month, adding that "experience has taught us that some eurogroup matters are better not discussed in public".
Wolfgang Munchau comments in the FTD that it is hard to predict whether the eurozone will break up. However, he argues that Germany is unlikely to come to the rescue if required: "I can image that if Merkel or Steinbrück would have to save the euro, then I believe that the likeliness of that is barely more than zero. The markets believe that as well".
Telegraph: Evans-Pritchard FTD: Munchau HLN
EU struggles with national plans to rescue car manufacturers
MEPs, the European Council and the EU Commission are to hold a debate this afternoon to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on the car industry which is likely to be dominated by accusations of protectionism and state intervention.
EurActiv
Vote on extending freedom of movement to Bulgaria and Romania critical to Switzerland's relations with EU
Euractiv reports that Switzerland will vote on Sunday to decide whether to allow Bulgarian and Romanian citizens to work freely in the country. Swiss Ambassador to the EU, Jacques de Watteville, has explained that under a "guillotine clause" negotiated in 1999, a number of related trade agreements would be automatically terminated in the event of a negative vote. "Let's say that in the case of a negative vote, Switzerland would place itself in a difficult situation. And this would not be an easy situation for the Union either," he said.
IHT EurActiv
The European Parliament has backed ambitious climate goals for 2050, namely a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80%, improve energy efficiency by 35%, and increase the share of renewables in the EU's energy mix to 60%. MEPs also called for the Czech Presidency and the Commission to present plans for the EU to diversify its energy supplies.
EurActiv FTD
In response to US plans for a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe, Russia and Belarus have announced joint plans for a military system to defend their airspace.
WSJ
Tony Barber: EU still enthusiastic for enlargement
In an article in the FT Tony Barber looks at EU enlargement, assessing the membership prospects of the applicant countries. He notes that despite a degree of 'enlargement fatigue' in some of the older member states, "2009 may turn out to be a year of surprises. By December, the EU could see one country (Croatia) completing its accession talks, another (Turkey) making progress, a third (the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia) preparing to start membership negotiations, and five others (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro and Serbia) having submitted formal applications to join."
FT FT: Leader
Quatremer: "Guantanamo and Czech discomfort"
Jean Quatremer argues on his blog that the closure of Guantanamo Prison has embarrassed the Czech government which had supported US President Bush's line of using the prison. "The Czechs' silence on its closure and refusal to call a meeting of European leaders to discuss the future of the prison's detainees" is, according to Quatremer, "a clear sign of its discomfort." He believes this is why the EU has been so hesitant in adopting a common line towards accepting detainees. However, Quatremer notes that the Czech government is now showing itself willing to take the initiative by deciding to address the issue during the next council of EU Foreign Ministers on 24-25 February.
Coulisses de Bruxelles
In an interview with Trade Negotiations Insight, EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton has assured that access to development funds for African, Pacific and Caribbean nations will not be made conditional on progress in negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements.
ICTSD
PriceWaterhouseCoopers has warned that the economic crisis in Germany will be longer due to EU bureaucracy, with the head of their German division quoted as saying, "EU bureaucracy hinders Germany investing billions through its stimulus program".
Focus
Any plans to set up "bad banks" in the EU must not leave taxpayers overexposed to more losses, according to Internal Market Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy. McCreevy also called for tougher regulation on the trading of certain financial instruments, such as credit derivatives.
Irish Times IHT
European companies fear that new Commission proposals to tackle VAT fraud will put a disproportionate responsibility on companies, who risk being severely punished for making the smallest of errors.
MKB
UK
Clarke: "We have to address" excessive regulation
In a speech printed in the Independent, Shadow Business Secretary Ken Clarke argues that it was the quality, not quantity, of regulation in the banking sector that contributed to the economic crisis, and writes that "But that does not mean that other sectors of industry should be excessively regulated". He also goes on to say that "the excessive regulation of the rest of the UK economy should not be off the agenda", because "It still matters that it takes twice as long to set up a company in this country as it does in France... and we have to address that".
Independent: Clarke
Immigration Minister Phil Woolas wants to tighten the points-based system for immigration from outside the EU so that non-EU nationals do not take jobs that might otherwise go to British graduates.
Independent
The Guardian reports that the Government is almost certain to fail on its key environmental manifesto pledge to cut emissions of carbon dioxide from 1990 levels by 20% by 2010.
Guardian Guardian 2
World
Iran yesterday launched the country's first domestically produced satellite into orbit, intensifying western fears over its ballistic missile capabilities.
Times Guardian Independent Telegraph: Leader
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Open Europe press summary: 3 February 2009
Europe
Strikes over foreign EU labour spread;
Commission says it will not be pressured into revising rules
There is widespread coverage of the so-called "wildcat strikes" continuing to spread across the UK, with workers protesting against the use of foreign EU labour. The strikers and unions argue that British workers are being automatically rejected when applying for work because several recent ECJ rulings have interpreted the EU's Posted Workers Directive to allow firms to employ foreign workers at rates that undercut domestic wages and working conditions.
The Times reports that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson suggested yesterday that striking workers were displaying the "politics of xenophobia". According to the Telegraph, he told the House of Lords, "On the Lindsey site, the great majority of the workers are actually British, so clearly no policy of discrimination or exclusion of British nationals is being operated at the refinery.'' He added that, "Membership of the European Union, and taking advantage of the opportunities for trade presented by the EU, are firmly in the UK's national interest. Free movement of labour and the ability to work across the EU has been a condition of membership for decades."
The Telegraph notes that the dispute is also "threatening to escalate into a major diplomatic incident". AFP reports that the strikes have been described as "unacceptable" by Portuguese and Italian government ministers. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini described the action as "indefensible." He said, "This Europe is one for the free movement of all workers: for Italians in Britain as well as Britons in Italy."
EUobserver reports that the European Commission has said it will not be pressured into making new rules on employees' rights with an EU law governing the hiring of foreign workers. "We cannot create new jobs by closing markets," said Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger, according to Euractiv. "We understand the UK workers' fears, but discrimating against workers of other EU nations is not the solution," he added.
Meanwhile, Le Monde writes that rising xenophobic sentiment in Ireland is forcing many Polish workers to return home, with the EU blamed for allowing free movement across borders.
WSJ Times Times 2 Times: Riddell Times: Aaronovitch Independent Independent: Lawson Independent: Leader Independent: Letters Guardian Guardian 2 Guardian: Editorial AFP FT Irish Times Irish Times: Leader Mail Mail: Tebbit Express Sun: Leader Sun Telegraph BBC European Voice BBC 2 BBC: Mardell blog BBC: Robinson blog EU Referendum blog Radio 4: Today programme EurActiv EUobserver Le Monde Le Monde 2 Le Monde 3 Figaro
Quatremer: "Is Germany still committed to further EU integration?"
On his Coulisses de Bruxelles blog, Jean Quatremer notes that Germany has, for the most part, been working in isolation since the beginning of the banking crisis last year. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was initially opposed to the idea of a joint action plan in response to the crisis, arguing that Germany was safe from the banking turmoil coming from America.
He writes that German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück had explained in an interview with the WSJ that he didn't want "good German money" being used to save the "Club Med" banks of Mediterranean countries. Quatremer notes that the German government has made a 180 degree turn on these ideas following the difficulties experienced by Germany's banks.
He also argues that the EU is suffering from a lack of positive leadership, with the Czech Presidency reticent to show any form of European solidarity, and Jose Manuel Barroso as timid and "falling back into his bad habits: do nothing that would compromise re-election".
Writing in FT Deutschland, Lucas Zeise suggests that Germany will not be able to maintain its tough position on financial bailouts. As the crisis threatens to eclipse German exports into southern Europe, Germany will eventually be asked to foot the bill, one way or another. He writes that, compared to those costs, it would have been a lot cheaper to issue a single European bond.
FTD Coulisses de Bruxelles
US Senate considers 'Buy American' clause
The US Senate is currently considering a stimulus bill that would restrict projects funded with the stimulus money to use only US manufactured goods, reports AFP. The EU has warned that it will not "stand idly by" if a ban on foreign steel in infrastructure projects is implemented in the United States, reports the Independent.
John Bruton, the EU's Ambassador to Washington, has said that the measure would set a "dangerous precedent" if approved, according to the BBC. AP also quotes him warning that, "Measures of this nature, if they breach WTO rules, are likely to be the subject of legal action. There is always the possibility of retaliatory measures to be taken".
Independent AFP AP FT FT: Rachman IHT: Irwin Telegraph: Johnson BBC
Commission proposes new rules to combat tax fraud
The European Commission has proposed new tax rules requiring member states to disclose details on accounts held by taxpayers in the bloc in order to combat tax evasion, reports the IHT. However, EUobserver reports that Austria has opposed the plan, suggesting that it would reduce its competitiveness when dealing with Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU.
IHT European Voice EUobserver AFP Swissinfo
An article in the Washington Times on Sunday cited Open Europe's research on the EU's Climate Action and Renewable Energy Package, and its conclusions that the scheme has accrued major costs to public service facilities such as schools and hospitals.
Washington Times The EU Climate Action and Renewable Energy Package
EU denies planning fish quotas for recreational anglers
The European Commission's Irish office has denied that the EU is planning to introduce fish quotas for recreational anglers, reports the Irish Times. However, a representative insisted that recreational fishing vessels did account for a large proportion of EU fish catches, suggesting that "up to 50 per cent of the national cod quota is taken by recreational fishermen" in Germany.
Irish Times
Libertas granted official recognition and EU funds
The Irish Times reports that the European Parliament has granted official recognition and EU funds worth 202,823 euros to Libertas. It quotes Declan Ganley saying that Libertas would not use the money for its election campaign. A separate article also notes that a German think tank, the Libertas European Institute, is threatening to sue Libertas for using its name.
The Parliament Irish Times HLN Bloomberg Irish Times 2
McCreevy criticises Basel II
Speaking about how the European and global regulatory landscape need to change in order to prevent a repeat of the current crisis, European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has criticised the Basel II capital standards in an interview with the WSJ, saying that the EU should go back to a cruder measurement of the adequacy of capital. WSJ
US might not pursue Eastern European missile project, possibly endangering deal on Lisbon ratification in Czech RepublicAccording to Eurotopics, US security expert Zbignew Brzezinski has said on Czech television that US President Obama will no longer pursue the controversial missile defence project in eastern Europe.
Eurotopics FT Brussels blog Prague Daily Monitor
Nabucco pipeline creates difficulties for the EU
Le Monde reports that EU member states are finding it difficult to adopt a common voice on the Nabucco pipeline project, with Germany particularly worried about upsetting Russia and wanting EU support and funding for other pipeline projects. An article in the European Voice magazine argues that the Nabucco pipeline project is stuck in a Catch-22 situation, with supply countries reluctant to sign up until financing is secured, and banks reluctant to provide finance until supplies are secured.
European Voice Le Monde
An EU Commission representative attended a sheep sale in Scotland yesterday to hear growing opposition to EU proposals that would see every sheep in EU member states electronically identified.
Scotsman
The ECB is reportedly drawing up "appropriate guidelines" for EU states that want to set up "bad banks". The Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said that bad banks are a "solution that had very good results in previous financial crises, for example in Sweden."
Irish Independent
Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin has suggested that some kind of engagement with Hamas may have to feature in future EU policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Irish Times
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Strikes over foreign EU labour spread;
Commission says it will not be pressured into revising rules
There is widespread coverage of the so-called "wildcat strikes" continuing to spread across the UK, with workers protesting against the use of foreign EU labour. The strikers and unions argue that British workers are being automatically rejected when applying for work because several recent ECJ rulings have interpreted the EU's Posted Workers Directive to allow firms to employ foreign workers at rates that undercut domestic wages and working conditions.
The Times reports that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson suggested yesterday that striking workers were displaying the "politics of xenophobia". According to the Telegraph, he told the House of Lords, "On the Lindsey site, the great majority of the workers are actually British, so clearly no policy of discrimination or exclusion of British nationals is being operated at the refinery.'' He added that, "Membership of the European Union, and taking advantage of the opportunities for trade presented by the EU, are firmly in the UK's national interest. Free movement of labour and the ability to work across the EU has been a condition of membership for decades."
The Telegraph notes that the dispute is also "threatening to escalate into a major diplomatic incident". AFP reports that the strikes have been described as "unacceptable" by Portuguese and Italian government ministers. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini described the action as "indefensible." He said, "This Europe is one for the free movement of all workers: for Italians in Britain as well as Britons in Italy."
EUobserver reports that the European Commission has said it will not be pressured into making new rules on employees' rights with an EU law governing the hiring of foreign workers. "We cannot create new jobs by closing markets," said Commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger, according to Euractiv. "We understand the UK workers' fears, but discrimating against workers of other EU nations is not the solution," he added.
Meanwhile, Le Monde writes that rising xenophobic sentiment in Ireland is forcing many Polish workers to return home, with the EU blamed for allowing free movement across borders.
WSJ Times Times 2 Times: Riddell Times: Aaronovitch Independent Independent: Lawson Independent: Leader Independent: Letters Guardian Guardian 2 Guardian: Editorial AFP FT Irish Times Irish Times: Leader Mail Mail: Tebbit Express Sun: Leader Sun Telegraph BBC European Voice BBC 2 BBC: Mardell blog BBC: Robinson blog EU Referendum blog Radio 4: Today programme EurActiv EUobserver Le Monde Le Monde 2 Le Monde 3 Figaro
Quatremer: "Is Germany still committed to further EU integration?"
On his Coulisses de Bruxelles blog, Jean Quatremer notes that Germany has, for the most part, been working in isolation since the beginning of the banking crisis last year. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was initially opposed to the idea of a joint action plan in response to the crisis, arguing that Germany was safe from the banking turmoil coming from America.
He writes that German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück had explained in an interview with the WSJ that he didn't want "good German money" being used to save the "Club Med" banks of Mediterranean countries. Quatremer notes that the German government has made a 180 degree turn on these ideas following the difficulties experienced by Germany's banks.
He also argues that the EU is suffering from a lack of positive leadership, with the Czech Presidency reticent to show any form of European solidarity, and Jose Manuel Barroso as timid and "falling back into his bad habits: do nothing that would compromise re-election".
Writing in FT Deutschland, Lucas Zeise suggests that Germany will not be able to maintain its tough position on financial bailouts. As the crisis threatens to eclipse German exports into southern Europe, Germany will eventually be asked to foot the bill, one way or another. He writes that, compared to those costs, it would have been a lot cheaper to issue a single European bond.
FTD Coulisses de Bruxelles
US Senate considers 'Buy American' clause
The US Senate is currently considering a stimulus bill that would restrict projects funded with the stimulus money to use only US manufactured goods, reports AFP. The EU has warned that it will not "stand idly by" if a ban on foreign steel in infrastructure projects is implemented in the United States, reports the Independent.
John Bruton, the EU's Ambassador to Washington, has said that the measure would set a "dangerous precedent" if approved, according to the BBC. AP also quotes him warning that, "Measures of this nature, if they breach WTO rules, are likely to be the subject of legal action. There is always the possibility of retaliatory measures to be taken".
Independent AFP AP FT FT: Rachman IHT: Irwin Telegraph: Johnson BBC
Commission proposes new rules to combat tax fraud
The European Commission has proposed new tax rules requiring member states to disclose details on accounts held by taxpayers in the bloc in order to combat tax evasion, reports the IHT. However, EUobserver reports that Austria has opposed the plan, suggesting that it would reduce its competitiveness when dealing with Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU.
IHT European Voice EUobserver AFP Swissinfo
An article in the Washington Times on Sunday cited Open Europe's research on the EU's Climate Action and Renewable Energy Package, and its conclusions that the scheme has accrued major costs to public service facilities such as schools and hospitals.
Washington Times The EU Climate Action and Renewable Energy Package
EU denies planning fish quotas for recreational anglers
The European Commission's Irish office has denied that the EU is planning to introduce fish quotas for recreational anglers, reports the Irish Times. However, a representative insisted that recreational fishing vessels did account for a large proportion of EU fish catches, suggesting that "up to 50 per cent of the national cod quota is taken by recreational fishermen" in Germany.
Irish Times
Libertas granted official recognition and EU funds
The Irish Times reports that the European Parliament has granted official recognition and EU funds worth 202,823 euros to Libertas. It quotes Declan Ganley saying that Libertas would not use the money for its election campaign. A separate article also notes that a German think tank, the Libertas European Institute, is threatening to sue Libertas for using its name.
The Parliament Irish Times HLN Bloomberg Irish Times 2
McCreevy criticises Basel II
Speaking about how the European and global regulatory landscape need to change in order to prevent a repeat of the current crisis, European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has criticised the Basel II capital standards in an interview with the WSJ, saying that the EU should go back to a cruder measurement of the adequacy of capital. WSJ
US might not pursue Eastern European missile project, possibly endangering deal on Lisbon ratification in Czech RepublicAccording to Eurotopics, US security expert Zbignew Brzezinski has said on Czech television that US President Obama will no longer pursue the controversial missile defence project in eastern Europe.
Eurotopics FT Brussels blog Prague Daily Monitor
Nabucco pipeline creates difficulties for the EU
Le Monde reports that EU member states are finding it difficult to adopt a common voice on the Nabucco pipeline project, with Germany particularly worried about upsetting Russia and wanting EU support and funding for other pipeline projects. An article in the European Voice magazine argues that the Nabucco pipeline project is stuck in a Catch-22 situation, with supply countries reluctant to sign up until financing is secured, and banks reluctant to provide finance until supplies are secured.
European Voice Le Monde
An EU Commission representative attended a sheep sale in Scotland yesterday to hear growing opposition to EU proposals that would see every sheep in EU member states electronically identified.
Scotsman
The ECB is reportedly drawing up "appropriate guidelines" for EU states that want to set up "bad banks". The Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said that bad banks are a "solution that had very good results in previous financial crises, for example in Sweden."
Irish Independent
Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin has suggested that some kind of engagement with Hamas may have to feature in future EU policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Irish Times
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Open Europe press summary: 2 February 2009
Europe
New Open Europe research: EU regulation has cost the UK £107 billion over past decade - accounting for 72% of the total cost of regulation in the UK
Open Europe has published a new report looking at the cost of regulation in the UK and EU over the last decade. The report, titled "Out of Control? Measuring a decade of EU legislation", is one of the most comprehensive studies ever undertaken on the topic in the UK.
Analysing more than 2,000 of the UK Government's own Impact Assessments, Open Europe found that regulations introduced between 1998 and 2008 have cost the UK economy £148.2 billion. Of this £106.6 billion, or nearly 72%, had its origin in EU legislation.
EU regulations introduced since 1998 have therefore cost the UK economy almost £107 billion - far more than the UK's total gross contributions to the EU budget over the same period.
In the report, Open Europe argues that because of the high proportion of regulations being made in Brussels, "The Government effectively has control of less than 30 percent of the annual cost of regulation." The report concludes that initiatives to cut red tape, as well as the system of scrutiny in the UK are misdirected as they fail to take this in to account.
Moreover, the study finds that the cost of regulation is going up all the time. Since the UK Government launched its 'Regulatory Reform Agenda' in 2005, the annual cost of regulation in Britain has gone from £16.5 billion in 2005 to £28.7 billion in 2008 - an increase of 74%.
The report was featured on the BBC's Politics Show yesterday. Open Europe's Research Director Mats Persson appeared on the show presenting the findings. On the programme, Labour MP Gisela Stuart welcomed the report, saying, "I think you need to look at where legislation is made, who is responsible for what, and whether it's been properly assessed...and at what the unintended consequences of legislation are."
In a press release, Shadow Minister for Europe, Conservative MP Mark Francois, also welcomed the study, saying "This valuable research is further proof that the cost of EU regulation on business is too high. These are difficult times and our businesses need to compete in a global market. The burden of regulation needs to come down instead of going up."
The report was also covered in the Financial Times. The article quoted Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive of Next - who wrote the foreword to the report - saying: "Over the past 10 years, the government has paid lip service to the idea of regulatory reform...Despite the rhetoric, this report shows the annual cost of regulation has skyrocketed."
BBC Politics Show FT Reuters Telegraph: Hannan blog Out of Control? Measuring a decade of EU regulation
Foreign workers dispute escalates amid confusion over EU law
PA reports that the so-called "Wildcat strikes" over workers from other EU countries spread today as the dispute escalated despite calls from the Government for the industrial action to stop.
Contract workers at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, Heysham nuclear power station in Lancashire and Staythorpe power station near Newark in Nottinghamshire were among those taking unofficial action for the first time. Unions across the UK have been campaigning for a change to the EU law, arguing that several recent ECJ rulings have interpreted the EU's so-called Posted Workers Directive to mean that firms are permitted to employ foreign workers at rates that undercut domestic wages and working conditions.
The Guardian writes that, when UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised "British jobs for British workers", he could only ever deliver "British jobs for European workers." The paper reports that the only conditions that firms employing foreign workers need to fulfill under the Posted Workers Directive are that contracts are for a limited time and that employers meet local working conditions, i.e. minimum wage.
William Hague told the BBC Andrew Marr programme: "When Gordon Brown said 'British jobs for British workers' it was a fiction... because there is freedom of movement of workers within the European Union [apart from the exceptions for Bulgaria and Romania]... It was unbelievably ridiculous and silly [of Gordon Brown to make that claim]."
According to the Times, Gordon Brown is to go to the EU to seek new legal safeguards for British workers. The EUreferendum blog argues that what the Government and Unions want "is not so much a new directive as a new treaty."
The Sun reports that there appears to be Cabinet confusion over the strikes, with Lord Mandelson saying that it is not EU law which has caused the problem, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson suggesting that the Government would ask for new EU laws to prevent British workers being undercut in the future.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson pointed out that the same EU laws that allow EU workers to work in Britain also open EU jobs to British workers. He said, "It is not European law that has caused this problem for us", the Guardian reports. The Independent on Sunday quoted Europe Minister Caroline Flint saying, "It is important to remember that open European labour markets also allow British firms and workers to take advantage of contracts an opportunities elsewhere in the EU".
The Guardian quotes Alan Johnson saying that rulings from the ECJ could have "distorted" the intention of EU legislation and the Government "need to bring in fresh directives to make it absolutely clear that people cannot be undercut in this way." Peter Hain, the former Work and Pensions Secretary said he thought something had gone "badly wrong" with the way that EU legislation was being enforced. The Telegraph also reports him saying, "We should stop gold plating European directives".
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg warned that, "Any attempt to ban EU citizens from jobs in Britain would be a massive own goal," according to the Independent.
Writing in Saturday's Telegraph, Philip Johnston argued that there are an exceptionally large number of EU workers in the UK because the Government decided not to use transitional powers to restrict access to workers from new EU member states that joined in 2004.
A leader in the Mail argues that Lord Mandelson is out of touch and has only "fanned the flames by accusing the strikers of 'protectionism' against our EU neighbours".
Observer: Leader Mail: Leader Independent Independent on Sunday Telegraph Telegraph: Daley Sun Sun: Kavanagh Express Express 2 Mirror: Cruddas Times Times 2 BBC BBC: Robinson blog EU Referendum: blog Telegraph: Leader Times: Leader Times: Buckley Telegraph: Johnston FT Guardian FT 2 Mail Guardian 2 Guardian 3 Mail: Oborne Mail: Leader
Conservative MEPs take the lead in publishing details of expenses
All Conservative MEPs except for Christopher Beazley have published details of their expenses, which amount to more than £36,000 over four months. Meanwhile, 16 out of 27 of them employ their wives or other family members. The Mail on Sunday reported that "Analysis by think-tank Open Europe also shows that between September and December, 26 of the Tory MEPs claimed an average of £36,303 on all travel, office expenses and allowances."
Mail on Sunday Open Europe blog Conservative Home
Royal College of Surgeons: EU's working time laws threaten patents' safety
The People reported that the President of the Royal College of Surgeons, John Black, has warned that the EU's 48-hour week for doctors, due to come into force in August, will threaten patient safety. Mr Black said, "Hospital cover is already groaning but finding doctors to keep units open is going to be impossible with 48 hours. They will be spread so thinly." The article noted that UK Ministers are trying o negotiate an extension before the provision in the EU's Working Time Directive comes into effect.
No link
EU fisheries policy costs the UK £2.8bn a year
The Mail reports that the EU's Common Fisheries Policy has cost the UK £2.81bn a year, according to a report from the Taxpayers' Alliance. TV botanist and environment campaigner Professor David Bellamy said, "We are paying billions for a policy that has done huge ecological harm and is pushing cod on to the endangered list."
Mail
Libertas to be officially sworn in as pan-European party
EUobserver reports that Libertas will today be signed off as a pan-European party, entitling it to receive EU funds. Libertas currently has two members from France, and one each from Cyprus, Britain, Greece, Finland, Bulgaria and Estonia. Over the weekend, Declan Ganley held a mini-congress in Warsaw prior to the launch of the Polish branch of Libertas.
EUobserver notes that Libertas is also gathering members from other quarters, with a report in the Times that Kevin O'Connell, former deputy director of EU law enforcement agency Europol, wants to run for the party in the June European elections.
Meanwhile, a new poll for the Sunday Business Post in Ireland reveals that 58 percent are in favour of the Lisbon Treaty, 28 percent are against and 14 percent are undecided.
EUobserver Sunday Business Post Euractiv
Sarkozy calls for early meeting of eurozone members amid German scepticism
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for an early meeting of the European Council to show greater solidarity within the Eurozone and to ask for a tightening of member countries' budgets, Le Monde reports. The article notes that currently both the Czech Presidency of the EU and the EU Commission are largely passive and Mr Sarkozy is asking for better leadership on their parts. FT Deutschland reports that the German government is not enthusiastic about Sarkozy's idea.
Meanwhile, the New York Times looks at the problems that the new EU countries may face when they join the euro. Simon Tilford, of the Centre for European Reform is quoted saying, "membership is not a panacea for a country's social and economic problems." Comparing Greece with some of the wealthier Eurozone states, he pointed out that "while Greece may have been insulated from the risk of a currency crisis, there is also the risk of a credit crisis and a collapse of confidence in its solvency."
Mark Mardell notes in his BBC blog that the question of withdrawing or joining the Euro is further complicated, however, by the fact that "what is good for bankers may be bad for farmers."
New York Times Le Monde BBC: Mardell blog
EU's protectionism fuels scepticism over successful trade deal
The Times notes that "Sharp clashes between key trade ministers and a rash of protectionist measures around the world fuelled scepticism in Davos this weekend about renewed pledges to clinch a global free trade deal this year."
The article further notes, "Concerns about protectionism were stoked by the European Union's decision to reintroduce subsidies for its dairy industry, a move that would be banned under a Doha pact. On Saturday, the EU put an 85 per cent import duty on screws, nails and bolts from China, a step expected to provoke retaliatory action from Beijing."
Meanwhile, a leader in the Mail notes that "Every family in Britain pays £375 a year extra for their food because of the protectionist Common Agricultural Policy. Scrapping Fortress Europe would go some way towards easing the impact of the credit crunch. Now why didn't anyone say that in Davos?"
Times Times: Mandelson Mail: Leader
Balkenende to replace Barroso?
Le Monde reports on rumours that Jan Peter Balkenende might replace Jose Manuel Barroso as head of the EU Commission. Although Barroso is tipped to retain his position, the worsening relations between the Commission and various EU states, most notably on energy and climate change issues, are seen to be destabilising Mr Barroso.
Le Monde
The new Icelandic government has said there will be no referendum on EU membership during the lifetime of the government - EU says the country is not on 'fast-track' to membership
EUobserver European Voice NOS
The EU Commission is thinking about using the so-called European Globalisation Fund to mitigate the effects of the financial crisis.
EUobserver
Wilfried Martens, the leader of the EPP group in the European Parliament, has called on David Cameron to state before April whether or not his party will leave the group. He also presented the EPP's manifesto for the European elections.
EUobserver Euractiv
The Observer reported that Britian's police are still unable to access a pan-European database or criminals, prompting concerns over the ability to track terror suspects entering the UK. The UK was given access to the EU's Schengen Information System in 2000 but technical problems have left authorities unable to use the system.
Observer
The Sunday Telegraph reported that former Home Secretary David Blunkett has criticised Government plans for a database to record the phone, email and internet histories of UK citizens.
No link
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
New Open Europe research: EU regulation has cost the UK £107 billion over past decade - accounting for 72% of the total cost of regulation in the UK
Open Europe has published a new report looking at the cost of regulation in the UK and EU over the last decade. The report, titled "Out of Control? Measuring a decade of EU legislation", is one of the most comprehensive studies ever undertaken on the topic in the UK.
Analysing more than 2,000 of the UK Government's own Impact Assessments, Open Europe found that regulations introduced between 1998 and 2008 have cost the UK economy £148.2 billion. Of this £106.6 billion, or nearly 72%, had its origin in EU legislation.
EU regulations introduced since 1998 have therefore cost the UK economy almost £107 billion - far more than the UK's total gross contributions to the EU budget over the same period.
In the report, Open Europe argues that because of the high proportion of regulations being made in Brussels, "The Government effectively has control of less than 30 percent of the annual cost of regulation." The report concludes that initiatives to cut red tape, as well as the system of scrutiny in the UK are misdirected as they fail to take this in to account.
Moreover, the study finds that the cost of regulation is going up all the time. Since the UK Government launched its 'Regulatory Reform Agenda' in 2005, the annual cost of regulation in Britain has gone from £16.5 billion in 2005 to £28.7 billion in 2008 - an increase of 74%.
The report was featured on the BBC's Politics Show yesterday. Open Europe's Research Director Mats Persson appeared on the show presenting the findings. On the programme, Labour MP Gisela Stuart welcomed the report, saying, "I think you need to look at where legislation is made, who is responsible for what, and whether it's been properly assessed...and at what the unintended consequences of legislation are."
In a press release, Shadow Minister for Europe, Conservative MP Mark Francois, also welcomed the study, saying "This valuable research is further proof that the cost of EU regulation on business is too high. These are difficult times and our businesses need to compete in a global market. The burden of regulation needs to come down instead of going up."
The report was also covered in the Financial Times. The article quoted Simon Wolfson, Chief Executive of Next - who wrote the foreword to the report - saying: "Over the past 10 years, the government has paid lip service to the idea of regulatory reform...Despite the rhetoric, this report shows the annual cost of regulation has skyrocketed."
BBC Politics Show FT Reuters Telegraph: Hannan blog Out of Control? Measuring a decade of EU regulation
Foreign workers dispute escalates amid confusion over EU law
PA reports that the so-called "Wildcat strikes" over workers from other EU countries spread today as the dispute escalated despite calls from the Government for the industrial action to stop.
Contract workers at the Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria, Heysham nuclear power station in Lancashire and Staythorpe power station near Newark in Nottinghamshire were among those taking unofficial action for the first time. Unions across the UK have been campaigning for a change to the EU law, arguing that several recent ECJ rulings have interpreted the EU's so-called Posted Workers Directive to mean that firms are permitted to employ foreign workers at rates that undercut domestic wages and working conditions.
The Guardian writes that, when UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown promised "British jobs for British workers", he could only ever deliver "British jobs for European workers." The paper reports that the only conditions that firms employing foreign workers need to fulfill under the Posted Workers Directive are that contracts are for a limited time and that employers meet local working conditions, i.e. minimum wage.
William Hague told the BBC Andrew Marr programme: "When Gordon Brown said 'British jobs for British workers' it was a fiction... because there is freedom of movement of workers within the European Union [apart from the exceptions for Bulgaria and Romania]... It was unbelievably ridiculous and silly [of Gordon Brown to make that claim]."
According to the Times, Gordon Brown is to go to the EU to seek new legal safeguards for British workers. The EUreferendum blog argues that what the Government and Unions want "is not so much a new directive as a new treaty."
The Sun reports that there appears to be Cabinet confusion over the strikes, with Lord Mandelson saying that it is not EU law which has caused the problem, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson suggesting that the Government would ask for new EU laws to prevent British workers being undercut in the future.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson pointed out that the same EU laws that allow EU workers to work in Britain also open EU jobs to British workers. He said, "It is not European law that has caused this problem for us", the Guardian reports. The Independent on Sunday quoted Europe Minister Caroline Flint saying, "It is important to remember that open European labour markets also allow British firms and workers to take advantage of contracts an opportunities elsewhere in the EU".
The Guardian quotes Alan Johnson saying that rulings from the ECJ could have "distorted" the intention of EU legislation and the Government "need to bring in fresh directives to make it absolutely clear that people cannot be undercut in this way." Peter Hain, the former Work and Pensions Secretary said he thought something had gone "badly wrong" with the way that EU legislation was being enforced. The Telegraph also reports him saying, "We should stop gold plating European directives".
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg warned that, "Any attempt to ban EU citizens from jobs in Britain would be a massive own goal," according to the Independent.
Writing in Saturday's Telegraph, Philip Johnston argued that there are an exceptionally large number of EU workers in the UK because the Government decided not to use transitional powers to restrict access to workers from new EU member states that joined in 2004.
A leader in the Mail argues that Lord Mandelson is out of touch and has only "fanned the flames by accusing the strikers of 'protectionism' against our EU neighbours".
Observer: Leader Mail: Leader Independent Independent on Sunday Telegraph Telegraph: Daley Sun Sun: Kavanagh Express Express 2 Mirror: Cruddas Times Times 2 BBC BBC: Robinson blog EU Referendum: blog Telegraph: Leader Times: Leader Times: Buckley Telegraph: Johnston FT Guardian FT 2 Mail Guardian 2 Guardian 3 Mail: Oborne Mail: Leader
Conservative MEPs take the lead in publishing details of expenses
All Conservative MEPs except for Christopher Beazley have published details of their expenses, which amount to more than £36,000 over four months. Meanwhile, 16 out of 27 of them employ their wives or other family members. The Mail on Sunday reported that "Analysis by think-tank Open Europe also shows that between September and December, 26 of the Tory MEPs claimed an average of £36,303 on all travel, office expenses and allowances."
Mail on Sunday Open Europe blog Conservative Home
Royal College of Surgeons: EU's working time laws threaten patents' safety
The People reported that the President of the Royal College of Surgeons, John Black, has warned that the EU's 48-hour week for doctors, due to come into force in August, will threaten patient safety. Mr Black said, "Hospital cover is already groaning but finding doctors to keep units open is going to be impossible with 48 hours. They will be spread so thinly." The article noted that UK Ministers are trying o negotiate an extension before the provision in the EU's Working Time Directive comes into effect.
No link
EU fisheries policy costs the UK £2.8bn a year
The Mail reports that the EU's Common Fisheries Policy has cost the UK £2.81bn a year, according to a report from the Taxpayers' Alliance. TV botanist and environment campaigner Professor David Bellamy said, "We are paying billions for a policy that has done huge ecological harm and is pushing cod on to the endangered list."
Libertas to be officially sworn in as pan-European party
EUobserver reports that Libertas will today be signed off as a pan-European party, entitling it to receive EU funds. Libertas currently has two members from France, and one each from Cyprus, Britain, Greece, Finland, Bulgaria and Estonia. Over the weekend, Declan Ganley held a mini-congress in Warsaw prior to the launch of the Polish branch of Libertas.
EUobserver notes that Libertas is also gathering members from other quarters, with a report in the Times that Kevin O'Connell, former deputy director of EU law enforcement agency Europol, wants to run for the party in the June European elections.
Meanwhile, a new poll for the Sunday Business Post in Ireland reveals that 58 percent are in favour of the Lisbon Treaty, 28 percent are against and 14 percent are undecided.
EUobserver Sunday Business Post Euractiv
Sarkozy calls for early meeting of eurozone members amid German scepticism
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for an early meeting of the European Council to show greater solidarity within the Eurozone and to ask for a tightening of member countries' budgets, Le Monde reports. The article notes that currently both the Czech Presidency of the EU and the EU Commission are largely passive and Mr Sarkozy is asking for better leadership on their parts. FT Deutschland reports that the German government is not enthusiastic about Sarkozy's idea.
Meanwhile, the New York Times looks at the problems that the new EU countries may face when they join the euro. Simon Tilford, of the Centre for European Reform is quoted saying, "membership is not a panacea for a country's social and economic problems." Comparing Greece with some of the wealthier Eurozone states, he pointed out that "while Greece may have been insulated from the risk of a currency crisis, there is also the risk of a credit crisis and a collapse of confidence in its solvency."
Mark Mardell notes in his BBC blog that the question of withdrawing or joining the Euro is further complicated, however, by the fact that "what is good for bankers may be bad for farmers."
New York Times Le Monde BBC: Mardell blog
EU's protectionism fuels scepticism over successful trade deal
The Times notes that "Sharp clashes between key trade ministers and a rash of protectionist measures around the world fuelled scepticism in Davos this weekend about renewed pledges to clinch a global free trade deal this year."
The article further notes, "Concerns about protectionism were stoked by the European Union's decision to reintroduce subsidies for its dairy industry, a move that would be banned under a Doha pact. On Saturday, the EU put an 85 per cent import duty on screws, nails and bolts from China, a step expected to provoke retaliatory action from Beijing."
Meanwhile, a leader in the Mail notes that "Every family in Britain pays £375 a year extra for their food because of the protectionist Common Agricultural Policy. Scrapping Fortress Europe would go some way towards easing the impact of the credit crunch. Now why didn't anyone say that in Davos?"
Times Times: Mandelson Mail: Leader
Balkenende to replace Barroso?
Le Monde reports on rumours that Jan Peter Balkenende might replace Jose Manuel Barroso as head of the EU Commission. Although Barroso is tipped to retain his position, the worsening relations between the Commission and various EU states, most notably on energy and climate change issues, are seen to be destabilising Mr Barroso.
Le Monde
The new Icelandic government has said there will be no referendum on EU membership during the lifetime of the government - EU says the country is not on 'fast-track' to membership
EUobserver European Voice NOS
The EU Commission is thinking about using the so-called European Globalisation Fund to mitigate the effects of the financial crisis.
EUobserver
Wilfried Martens, the leader of the EPP group in the European Parliament, has called on David Cameron to state before April whether or not his party will leave the group. He also presented the EPP's manifesto for the European elections.
EUobserver Euractiv
The Observer reported that Britian's police are still unable to access a pan-European database or criminals, prompting concerns over the ability to track terror suspects entering the UK. The UK was given access to the EU's Schengen Information System in 2000 but technical problems have left authorities unable to use the system.
Observer
The Sunday Telegraph reported that former Home Secretary David Blunkett has criticised Government plans for a database to record the phone, email and internet histories of UK citizens.
No link
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Obama Must Go!
Obama's African Coup in America
How will the president usurper act when they come to take him away? When the Constitution is again upheld and the laws of this land he has shown contempt for enforced?
President Usurper Obama
Have you no fear of God? Do you consider yourself greater than Nimrod? Don't you know the Tower of Babel fell? That Satan was cast down from Heaven as a reject after lifting himself up so high?
BLACK DAY IN AMERICA: Obama Wins, America Loses
Sherrod Brown on Obama's Birth Certificate
3 Myths About Obama's Eligibility
www.davidbenariel.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
