Social measures must be prioritised in EU policymaking - David Casa MEP

“Economic growth alone with no regard to social measures will do little to alleviate poverty,” stated David Casa MEP. 

Speaking during a debate on the European Semester this week in Parliament David Casa, the EPP Coordinator on Employment and Social Affairs stated that social and employment policies should be looked at from the perspective of long-term benefits. The relevant social and environmental targets should be mainstreamed in the new assessment framework in order to ensure that all Member States are making progress in matters such as combating poverty, providing jobs and employment, preventing early school leaving, promoting life-long learning and preventing climate change.

Casa explained that it was time that in their financial planning, member states addressed measures to reduce social exclusion, the reduction of poverty and fairer taxation and dealing with the reality of the working poor. Casa went on to say that such issues must also be given greater importance when devising policies at EU level. 

Speaking about the Report on the EU Semester which was voted upon by the European Parliament’s plenary this week David Casa stated: “I welcome the fact that 'the improvement of the Member States' employment policies' is one of the four main policy priorities identified by the Commission in this year's cycle. I also appreciate the efforts made by the Commission to streamline the whole European Semester process to focus on key priority areas. On the other hand, we need to step up our efforts in order to strengthen the national ownership of the Country Specific Recommendations by increasing the involvement of social partners and national partners throughout the process”.