EU Business

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the first edition of EU Business Insider, which aims to keep you up-to-date with all of the business news from the Conservatives in the European Parliament.

In each edition, we will inform you about proposed EU legislation and how it will affect UK businesses - from small and medium sized companies to large corporate firms – MEP business visits throughout the UK, and other hot topics.

You will be able to see how we are reacting to EU proposals, whether we are fighting or supporting them, to ensure that the interests of UK businesses are being looked after. We will also show, factually and impartially, where UK MEPs from other political parties are following our lead and working with us in the interests of business or not, as the case may be.

So far this year, we have fought to reduce red tape for telecommunications operators, engineered the liberalisation of the energy markets and reduced administrative burdens for small businesses in the UK.

We want this bulletin to be as interactive as possible, so please feel free to browse the various links, have a look at the ‘in the pipeline’ section and get in touch with your ideas and questions. We are here to fight your corner.

Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP
Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament

Website Links

In the next issue

Energy

CO2 emissions

TELECOMS

Competition and Innovation in Telecoms market boosted

Malcolm Harbour MEP, Conservative Spokesman on the Internal Market, has strengthened EU proposals to boost competition and investment in the telecommunications sector.

His report - which covers all forms of electronic communications including telephone, both fixed line and mobile, fax, internet, cable and satellite - backs measures to open markets, remove regulations and promote new technology and wireless services.

BUSINESS

SAGA saved, thanks to Conservatives

Giles Chichester MEP saved top UK companies including SAGA and Club 18-30, from being wiped out by EU anti-discrimination laws.

The European Commission’s proposal, which is aimed at outlawing discrimination in society as a whole, could have prevented companies from targeting their services at specific age groups.

Small business really must come first, say Conservatives

Conservatives in the European Parliament have backed a new political initiative, the Small Business Act, which aims to encourage the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The plans will encourage all EU countries to make a stronger effort to remove the regulatory burden in SMEs. There are also plans to encourage entrepreneurship, improve information on single market opportunities and provide new means to finance growing companies.

Conservatives call for answers on directory scams

Conservative MEPs have demanded answers from EU Member States on the actions they are taking to prevent thousands of small businesses and professionals from becoming victims of rogue directory companies.

TRADE

Free trade laws across the EU backed by Conservatives

Conservative MEPs have welcomed the adopted of a package of measures that will enable businesses across the EU to sell their products much more freely.

The legislation includes a more vigorous enforcement of the principle of mutual recognition, whereby if a product is accepted in one EU country, it must be accepted in others too. Member States have previously prevented goods being sold in their country with a range of protectionist measures, which left affected firms to fight expensive battles.

Trade in services is key for wealth and jobs

Conservative MEP Syed Kamall is spearheading a new report which promotes the importance of trade in services for economies around the world, outlining its crucial role in boosting wealth and creating jobs.

Mr Kamall´s report stresses that services are not the preserve of richer countries but are an important and growing part of any economy. He points out the excellent example by the boom in African and South American telecoms, which has shown the progress that can be made through opening up competition, and paves the way for huge growth potential through services for poor countries.


Conservatives in the European Parliament EPP ED Group, European Parliament 47-53 rue Wiertz B-1047 Brussels, Belgium