Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

Monday 30th June 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Esther McVey)]

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council met on 19 June 2014 in Luxembourg. Shan Morgan, Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, represented the United Kingdom.

The Council approved the country-specific recommendations (CSRs) on the national reform programmes 2014 for each member state, including the macro-economic imbalance procedure (MIP). The opinions of the Employment Committee (EMCO) and Social Protection Committee (SPC) on the examination of the national reform programmes 2013 and the implementation of the 2013 country-specific recommendations were endorsed. EMCO and SPC reports on cross-cutting issues were noted, as was the employment performance monitor (EPM).

During the policy debate on the European semester, the UK stated that it was pleased that the Commission had struck the right balance between providing recommendations and recognising progress. This year’s CSRs reflected the work under way in the UK in a number of areas where we were already seeing significant progress (youth unemployment, child care provision and Universal Credit). The UK also tabled a minute statement reiterating its position that education policies remain a national competence.

Ministers had an exchange of views on the social dimension of the EU and the European monetary union (EMU) for which the discussion centred on the value of minimum income schemes. The UK made it clear that minimum income schemes were an area of national competence and that a “one size fits all” approach would not work.

The presidency’s progress reports on the equal treatment directive, women on company boards directive and the European network of employment services, workers access to mobility services, and further integration of labour markets (EURES) regulation were noted. The presidency gave a progress report on the proposal for a European platform to enhance co-operation in the prevention and deterrence of undeclared work, and Ministers also adopted Council conclusions on women and the economy.

Under any other business, the presidency provided information on the outcomes of the Roma summit which took place on 4 April 2014 and the 2014 International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference. The incoming Italian presidency presented its upcoming work programme which begins on 1 July.