Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

Friday 6th March 2015 Written Statements

[The Minister for Employment (Esther McVey)]

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will take place on 9 March 2015 in Brussels. Shan Morgan, deputy permanent representative to the EU, will represent the UK at the meeting.

There will be a policy debate on the European semester 2015; As part of the discussion, the Council will seek the Adoption of Draft Council conclusions on the 2015 Annual Growth Survey and Joint Employment report; and will also seek Adoption of the Draft Joint Employment Report. The commission will present a proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the member states; and seek endorsement of key messages on the social situation in the EU: SPC report.

The Council will seek a general approach on the proposals for a Council decision establishing the Employment Committee and repealing decision 2000/98/EC; and establishing the Social Protection Committee and repealing decision 2004/689/EC.

The Council will also seek to adopt draft Council conclusions on moving towards more inclusive labour markets; and the EU strategic framework on Health and Safety at Work 29014-2020: - Adapting to new challenges.

Ministers will be asked to endorse key messages on financing, effectiveness and efficiency of social protection systems in the Joint SPC and Commission report.

Under any other business, the Latvian presidency will inform on the tripartite social summit; the respective Chairs of the EMCO and SPC will provide information on their work programmes for 2015. The Commission will provide information on the re-launching of the social dialogue, presentation of country reports from the European 2015 semester, and the Commission proposal on the youth employment initiative.

[HCWS353]