Written Statement

Tuesday 24th May 2016 Written Statements

Tuesday 24 May 2016

Pre-Competitiveness Council

Tuesday 24th May 2016 Written Statements

[The Minister for Universities and Science (Joseph Johnson)]

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Minister for Intellectual Property (Baroness Neville-Rolfe) has today made the following statement.

The Competitiveness Council is taking place in Brussels on 26th May-27th May. I will be representing the UK on day one (internal market and industry) with Shan Morgan (deputy permanent representative to the EU) representing the UK on day two (research and innovation)

The Dutch presidency is seeking a new approach with the Telecoms Council and Internal Market discussion of Competitiveness Council being split over one day, with a joint lunch in-between. This is designed to bring greater coherence between the two Councils given their joint interests on the digital single market. Ed Vaizey will be representing the UK at the Telecoms Council which is the subject of a separate statement.

Day One

There are two legislative items on the agenda for the internal market and industry discussion. First the Commission will be seeking a general approach on the portability proposal, which is aimed at ensuring the cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market. Secondly there is the first reading of the proposal to amend the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services directive.

The non-legislative items on the agenda are the adoption and debate of two sets of Council conclusions on better regulation and digitisation of industry. There is a presentation from the Commission, followed by an exchange of views on the competitiveness ‘check-up’ state of play of the real economy.

Other business items on the agenda are the first reading of the e-commerce package, readout from the recent Friends of Industry meeting in Warsaw, information from the presidency on the quantum technology conference, information on high performance computing and big data enabled applications, and information from the Slovak presidency on their upcoming EU presidency priorities.

Our objectives for day one of the Competitiveness Council:

To secure a general approach on the portability regulation that will ensure consumers benefit from access to digital content purchased in their home country when travelling within the Union, without introducing excessive burdens to businesses that supply such services; and

To secure ambitious language in the presidency conclusions that is in line with our better regulation priorities.

Day Two

Day two will see the Minister for Universities and Science confirming three sets of Council conclusions.

The negotiated conclusion on FP7 (7th Framework Programme For Research and technological development) and future outlook is in line with the UK position.

It recognises FP7 has contributed to the competitiveness of Europe’s industry and has strengthened scientific excellence.

The findings of the evaluation are an important consideration for the UK presidency priorities, on the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020 and ideas for the next programme after that.

The UK supports the conclusions on research and innovation-friendly regulation as they emphasise the potential impact of EU policy-making on innovation.

The UK is content with the negotiated conclusion on open science as it is in line with UK open science policy.

Under other business items there will be presentations on the 2016 ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures) roadmap, the work programme of the incoming Slovakian presidency, and information from the Commission on the European Innovation Council.

[HCWS7]