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News Archive 2004

21/01/2004
EU Heading in Opposite Direction of Competitiveness Target

The European Commission has published its spring report ahead of the European Council Summit in March. The document is critical of Europe's record of investment, productivity and growth, and highlights the gap between the EU and US economies.

Jonathan Evans MEP, Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, said: "Since European leaders agreed a goal of making Europe "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010", we have heard a great deal of talking, but seen too little action.

"America not only continues to out-perform the EU, but the gap in performance is widening thanks to the adaptable labour markets and pro-business environment in the US. The European social model is holding Europe back and must be replaced with a more competitive business-friendly regime.

"Instead of making progress on the Lisbon targets, the EU is actively heading in the opposite direction with restrictive new laws such as the Temporary Workers Directive which would freeze up the temp industry in the UK – the most flexible labour market in Europe. This directive is merely at the top of a pyramid of many hundreds of damaging new rules and regulations produced every year in the UK and the European Union."

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