[ParlTrack]

. – This report covers European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) funding for 2021-2027, looking at creating employment and social inclusion linked to 11 specific objectives. What foresight! What a difference from the state of affairs in Britain where we do not have the faintest idea what is going to happen at the end of this week. ESF funding currently makes a real difference in my region, with the Luton Aspire Project providing mentoring to get young people into work, supporting carers in Leigh on Sea and training the next generation of farm managers in East Anglia. However, organisations have been left completely in the dark about replacements for European funding programmes after Brexit. The Government have promised to replace the GBP 447 million of European funding that the East of England receives with a new ‘Shared Prosperity Fund’. However, they have completely failed to give details as to how the fund will actually work. We need clarity. The Shared Prosperity Fund needs more than a snazzy name.

2016/11/22

If we don’t want to have more plastic than fish in our seas in the next few decades, we need to act now.Every year across Europe, 150 000 tonnes of plastic are dumped into the sea, which is why I am pleased to vote for this important new legislation to say no to single-use plastics and stop this pollution.This is about moving away from a throwaway culture. So it becomes unthinkable to use plastic cutlery, plates or straws just once and then chuck them into the bin.I am also pleased that this is EU wide action. After all, a plastic bottle discarded on the beach at Clacton can wash up on the shores of continental Europe and vice—versa. The big challenges of our time require cross border co-operation.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The Investment Protection Agreement between the EU and Singapore will benefit only those who have already benefited the most from globalisation. It will create new privileges for multinationals in 16 EU Member States, and fail to remove the privileges that already exist in the other 12. Because it provides special justice to foreign investors, it directly attacks the fundamental principle that we should all be equal before the law, no matter how rich or poor.And there is no economic argument to support it. The Commission has never been able to demonstrate any link between investment court systems (ICS) or investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) and investment flows – because there isn’t one. Another way is possible. The argument that you need ICS to eradicate ISDS is completely disingenuous. I fundamentally object to any kind of privileged justice for multinationals and so I voted against this unworthy agreement.

2016/11/22

. – In Britain, our high streets are under pressure. Shops are closing and at least 35 000 retail jobs have been lost or put at risk of redundancy this year. One challenge for these ‘bricks and mortar shops’ is competition from online retailers who are paying far less tax than their high street counterparts. That’s why I am pleased to support increasing the tax rate on digital services provided by tech giants like Amazon. It is only fair that they pay their fair share. This digital tax will raise additional resources for our public services and help protect jobs on our high streets.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Today we discussed common rules for air services. Common rules are of course rather vital when you fly across borders. The growth of Luton Airport in my constituency, and the prosperity this has brought, has been enabled by the agreements that we have with other nations through the EU. So what does the post-Brexit future hold?Well on aviation, like the rest of Theresa May’s woolly political declaration, there is much aspiration for cooperation but little set in stone. Meaning more turbulence lies ahead for British airlines and airports. It now looks unlikely Britain will be an EASA member. And on valuable transatlantic routes, the current Open Skies deal is only for airlines with a majority shareholding in the EU – a threshold several British airlines will not meet.Indeed, if there are difficulties reaching a bilateral agreement between the US and the UK, we would have to revert to the archaic Bermuda II agreement. Which is quite apt really, given that the Bermuda triangle is where most of Vote Leave’s promises are now found.

2016/11/22

This summer, protesters came to Cambridge in support of the convicted criminal and far-right agitator Tommy Robinson.He first tried and ultimately failed to sow seeds of disharmony on the streets of Luton. Now he continues to try to spread his message of hate nationwide and globally.I have to say it was one of the scarier protests I have witnessed – with balaclava-clad members of the far-right screaming insults, and one of them throwing red dye over a police officer.But whether it is the EDL, BNP or Football Lads Alliance, they are all different incarnations of the same hatred. And we must remain vigilant on our streets and online.So I pay tribute to the groups like Cambridge Stand up to Racism and organisations like Luton in Harmony who promote values of tolerance, internationalism, freedom, democracy and fair play.It is right we celebrate all that makes where we live great, and pledge that fear will never win the day.

2016/11/22

I welcome today’s vote to ban so called ‘killer robots’.Fully autonomous lethal weapons are machines that are programmed to select and attack targets using artificial intelligence. The ‘robot’ then can take the decision to fire and kill without a human deciding to pull the trigger.And this is not science fiction, it’s science fact.Britain and other countries including the United States, China, Israel, South Korea and Russia are moving closer to developing fully autonomous weapons systems.Autonomous armed robots strike at the heart of international humanitarian law. Without a human operator, nobody could be held responsible if a war crime was committed.I also call on the British Government to show flexibility ahead of negotiations due to take place at the United Nations in November so that a consensus can be reached on an internationally agreed definition of lethal autonomous weapons systems.The Ministry of Defence said in July that it has ‘no plans to change the definition of an autonomous system’ despite its version differing significantly from the definitions of other countries, industry experts, and academics.

2016/11/22

I am delighted to vote for these new rules that will stop businesses bringing in workers from other European countries, to do the same work, but paying them less than domestic workers. This led to a stagnation (and often a downward spiral) of all workers’ wages.The status quo was bad for local workers and bad for migrant workers too. It was also the crux of many of the arguments, during the UK’s 2016 EU referendum, in favour of leaving the EU. Now that proper protections are in place, fair conditions and fair competition can prevail, instead of widespread abuses and a race to the bottom.I pay tribute to the work of the trade union movement in always keeping this issue alive. Now a culture of equal pay for equal work will be the cornerstone of the European economy.This new set of rules shows that Europe works best when it comes together, in the interests of all workers, to end employment injustices.

2016/11/22

. ‒ At the CBI conference in November, the leader of the Labour Party called for an inquiry into tax avoidance and evasion. While the British Government may not be listening the European parliament has once again proved that we are ready to tackle tax avoidance.It is simply wrong that while most Brits pay tax on everything they earn, non-doms can enjoy the benefits of living in the UK while avoiding taxes by channelling their earnings through another home abroad.There should not be one rule for the rich and powerful and another for everyone else.The public are rightly angry at the scale of tax avoidance. Each pound and penny avoided is an attack on our vital public services. The super-rich can’t be allowed to get away with it any longer. Our Doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers deserve better.

2016/11/22

I welcome this report. Trillions of pounds, euros and dollars are being siphoned off through loopholes to avoid tax, whilst our public services are starved of money and the world’s poorest are hit hardest.This is a global problem but the Panama Papers revealed Britain to be top of the leader board, with the greatest number of offshore companies and trusts, amongst EU nations. Sadly though our government have not shown leadership in Westminster to tackle tax dodging, and here in Europe, again and again, the Conservatives have sought to water down and block action to combat tax avoidance.I welcome the blacklist of tax havens and sanctions against them; more transparency; more cooperation, as well as a globally recognised definition of a tax haven. It is high time we end having one set of rules for the super-rich and another for the rest of us.

2016/11/22

Whistle-blowing has saved lives, the environment and cash and is an important tool in holding those in power to account. Yet whistle-blowers can pay a high price for disclosing vital information. I am proud to vote for this report to give whistle-blowers more protection and support. It also recommends setting up clear reporting channels allowing a whistle-blower to by-pass management and report directly to the media.These proposals go beyond what we have in Britain at the moment and will offer much-needed protection for people who bring to light corruption, illegality and threats to public health. This is a report that backs ordinary people who take a stand.

2016/11/22

. ‒ X-rays cancelled, test results delayed and operations cancelled – and, for once, it wasn’t the Tory Government to blame but the biggest ransomware outbreak in history, affecting around 48 National Health Service hospitals and trusts up and down the UK.Sadly, attacks on industrial control systems and networks, such as the ‘WannaCry’ ransomware attack of May 2017 on our NHS, are becoming more frequent. That is why I welcome today’s report with its recommendations to improve information sharing across borders and to invest in research for IT security. If the global cybercriminals are to be defeated, we all need to work together.

2016/11/22

Our satnavs and mobile phones, as well as our response to earthquakes, forest fires and floods – they all rely on space data.Britain’s space sector is a success story, worth more than GBP 13 billion to the UK economy and contributing to 38 000 jobs, including in Stevenage, in my constituency, where the ‘Eurostar’ satellites are built.Most countries don’t go it alone on space programmes, because they are simply too expensive and the very best research relies on transnational collaboration. This makes our involvement in European research programmes so important.That’s why I call upon the UK Government to ensure that we retain full access to vital EU space programmes after Brexit.As technology changes rapidly, I am pleased to vote for today’s space strategy for Europe. I hope that my own country does not get left behind, stuck in its own borders, but rather can be a key part of the final frontier.

2016/11/22

One of the first questions I was asked when I became an MEP was by Councillor Jocelynne Scutt about the Istanbul Convention. Rightly so, when according to Refuge, every minute British police receive a domestic assistance call and one in three women have suffered physical, psychological or sexual violence across Europe.Today I was therefore delighted to vote to back the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. This is the most far-reaching international treaty and the first legally binding instrument to fight violence against women. This is an important step so that women are protected against all forms of violence and discrimination.

2016/11/22

There are now close to 1 million people in the UK on zero-hours contracts. That’s 1 million people who from week to week do not know how much money will be coming in to pay the bills and who wake up each day with no job security. Fixed-term contracts for people who would prefer permanent ones is on the rise. Part-time work for people who would prefer full-time work is on the rise. Bogus self-employment is on the rise. In fact across the world of work insecurity is on the rise, but pay isn’t, protection isn’t and rights aren’t. That’s why I’m proud to support this report calling for a real Living Wage, better working conditions and an end to zero-hour contracts.

2016/11/22

As someone staying in an AirBnB this week in Strasbourg I am well aware of the benefits of the so called ‘collaborative economy’.As Socialists we should always aim to seize the future. It is right to celebrate more choice, more participation and more connections. However at the same time we need to ensure fairness and responsibility. Workers deserve decent working conditions and customers need proper protections too.I was pleased to vote for this balanced report as we face the future with confidence.

2016/11/22

. ‒ US President Trump has rejected the deal, but Labour knows we must work together and must not water down the commitments that were made in the Paris Climate Agreement. That is why I was proud to vote on legislation to implement the agreement and to move further on cutting emissions in agriculture, waste management and transport. As a Labour MEP, my politics will always be both red and green.

2016/11/22

As campaigners in Great Yarmouth recently told me, the majority of pensioners who face poverty are women. In fact women receive, on average, 40% less in our pensions than men.We know that women take more career breaks for caring responsibilities, are more likely to be in part time work and earn less than men across their career. That is why I supported this report with a strategy to focus on the root causes that lead to the gender pension gap and why I was saddened that the Conservatives voted against amendments that would penalise companies for not applying equal pay rules.

2016/11/22

The EU has been a massive source of funding for the East of England and yet we have not heard enough from the Government on how they will replace this funding which has made such a vital difference, helping young people to get into work and investing in renewable energy technologies off the Suffolk coast.Over the funding period 2007 – 2020 just the New Anglia region has been allocated GBP 124 million of funding. For example this led to Hethel Innovation receiving over GBP 3 million helping hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) create good jobs in Norfolk. Also, Suffolk-based brewer Adnams received GBP 0.8 million to make its production more environmentally friendly. I am fighting hard to keep as much funding for the East of England as possible and today I voted for rules to ensure that more EU funding is in the form of grants, not just cheap loans.

2016/11/22

Britain is becoming a cashless society with financial technology or ‘FinTech’ leading the way. Inventions like Bitcoin are changing the way we deal with money and the law needs to catch up. I am proud that Cambridge, in the East of England, is one of the British hubs for this financial revolution. But the financial crisis of 2008 showed us that it is more important than ever to regulate finance properly, which is why I voted for rules to strengthen the supervision of FinTech before problems come up.

2016/11/22

It is always a tragedy to see food go to waste and even more so in a region such as the East of England, a major food producer. It is not just the food wasted that people throw away, but there is an enormous quantity of food wasted before the food even gets to the supermarket. In my constituency there are great initiatives such as Foodcycle Norwich, which has served more than 16 000 meals and diverted more than 22 tonnes of food from going straight to landfill. Yet, more needs to be done, and today I voted to tackle food waste at all levels of the supply chain, thereby helping to reduce food waste from the very beginning.

2016/11/22

When companies avoid paying tax, Britain loses out on millions of pounds that could be invested in our public services.Shockingly, in 2015, Tory MEPs were told by Cameron and Osborne to vote against EU rules to tackle tax avoidance six different times.Today I voted for strict new rules to make it more difficult for companies that operate in different countries to avoid paying their fair share.

2016/11/22

From plasters to pacemakers, we all assume medical devices are safe. Yet recent hip replacement and the PIP breast implant scandals show that’s not always the case.That’s why I am pleased to vote for this new law to tighten the rules for the design and manufacture of medical devices. It will also ensure devices in use are carefully monitored, so if a problem does arise, it will be picked up quickly.Today I urge the government to keep these measures in place after we leave the European Union, as I very much hope they agree, this is a case of improving patient safety, not red tape.

2016/11/22

Volkswagen cheated in emissions tests and behaved like they were above the law. The result was more air pollution and more people breathing in dangerous fumes. We can’t let this happen again. That is why I am pleased to vote for new Europe-wide rules to prevent emissions cheating in the future. These concrete proposals, overhauling the rules on licensing and testing, bringing in spot-checks and GBP 26 000 per car fines for anyone who breaks the rules, are designed to stop another ‘Dieselgate’.

2016/11/22

It is found in biofuel but also in the weekly shop, in margarine, crisps and shampoo: palm oil is all around us and the WWF say demand is likely to double by 2050.The problem is, the way it is produced, is contributing to the destruction of the rainforests and has led to endangered species, like orangutans, facing extinction.We need to stop palm oil related deforestation.I am therefore pleased to support this report which calls for Europe to only accept palm oil from sustainable sourcing and to ban biofuels made from palm oil by 2020.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold are vital for the production of our mobile phones yet they often come from parts of the world where wars and conflict are occurring, which affect the mining and trading of those materials. That is why I am pleased to support this new law which will introduce a legal system to ensure the traceability of these minerals. I am proud that we have succeeded in cutting off an important source of income for warlords.The Conservatives were pushing for a voluntary system, but we secured a mandatory system, setting a new global standard in responsible sourcing. I also pay tribute to my predecessor, Richard Howitt, who was passionate about pushing for action in this area.

2016/11/22

Radio frequencies know no borders and the efficient, coordinated and fair use of the radio spectrum is vital for the connected world of today and tomorrow. An explosion of global mobile data traffic is on the cards. It is expected to grow eightfold by 2020. Cisco’s Visual Networking Index estimates there will be 11.6 billion internet connected devices by then. So that is more devices than people on the planet!This is why I am pleased to support this agreement to make the 700 MHz band frequency available for high-quality mobile internet services. The coordinated roll-out of the 700 MHz band for wireless broadband will help facilitate the take-up of 5G with the potential to transform society through the development of the Internet of Things, driverless cars and smart cities.

2016/11/22

I am pleased to vote for these proposals to reduce the amount of rubbish we throw away and increase recycling.These reports set ambitious and binding targets which can be achieved when products are designed to last, be repaired, reused, recycled, and remanufactured – not just chucked away.Since 23 June, we have heard almost nothing from the British Government about environmental protections and regulations in a post Brexit world. I very much hope we can use this as a blueprint (or maybe it should be a greenprint!) We all have our part to play in the recycling revolution.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report which looks at how to improve access to medicines across Europe. Currently the UK has a thriving pharmaceutical sector and is home to the headquarters of the EMA which makes sure medicines available across the EU market are of high quality and are safe for patients to use. Post-Brexit the EMA looks set to move and I worry about our pharmaceutical industry and the wider life-sciences sector. It is clear from this report that collaboration on research and close regulatory cooperation are vital to ensure speedy access to new treatments. I hope the UK Government can give some reassurances to the UK’s pharmaceutical industry so it remains strong, and revolutionary research continues to find new treatments of benefit to patients across the whole of Europe and the world.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I was pleased to vote for this report. The Europe for Citizens programme helps foster better links between European countries, including, for example, supporting a group from Friesenried to enable them to visit their twin town in North Walsham, in my constituency.

2016/11/22

On the day before UN World Wildlife Day, I was proud to vote in favour of a report on how EU trade policy can contribute to the fight against wildlife trafficking and preserving biodiversity. I know from the letters and emails I receive that this is a topic of great concern to my constituents. I am in favour of trade deals paying close attention to wildlife sustainability. The EU must continue to do its utmost to stamp out this awful trade which threatens endangered species.

2016/11/22

Europe is the biggest producer of scientific data in the world, and development of the European Cloud Initiative could allow Europe to become a world leader in the data-driven economy. This initiative would mean Europe’s ‘Big Data’ is utilised more effectively and I voted in favour of the report. Of course, alongside the big possibilities that come from ‘Big Data’ there also come challenges including how to address people’s privacy and security concerns. I was heartened by the specific reference to ‘the rights of data protection, privacy, liberty and security’ in this report. It is essential to strike a balance between rightly exploiting the opportunities arising from ‘Big Data’ and protecting the rights of the individual.

2016/11/22

The aviation sector is vital in our region, especially in Stansted and Luton, as a driving force for economic growth. This report also reinforced the need for decent terms and conditions for workers and the protection of passenger rights. I therefore voted in favour.

2016/11/22

I voted against CETA, having come to the conclusion that it favours big business over people. I am not anti-trade and I support doing trade deals. Just as I support the EU single market, I believe that eliminating tariffs on goods and enabling mutual recognition of professional qualifications is a good thing. It’s also vital not to confuse problems with a British Tory Government with problems with CETA. Other EU governments have ensured exemptions that cover all of their health, social services and education. However, my key concerns with CETA are that this is the first trade agreement to use ‘negative listing’ rather than ‘positive listing’. I believe that this sets a dangerous precedent. I couldn’t vote for a treaty that doesn’t stand up for workers’ rights, and in CETA there are no sanctions if labour rights are violated. Finally, I see no justification for foreign investors to have access to a court that an NGO, trade union or private citizen can’t use. In the end, this trade deal was a step too far for me.

2016/11/22

This report shows that Albania has made steady progress in combatting organised crime in tackling corruption. While recognising that there is still more to be done including the credible implementation of judicial reform, I agree that the process to join the EU should start and so voted in favour of this report.

2016/11/22

I welcome the fact that the EU Commission is now considering Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application to join the EU. I can quite see why countries would want to be part of the world's largest single market. I hope the process encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina’s government to prioritise social and economic reforms to improve the lives of its people.

2016/11/22

If EU funds are being misused and this is exposed by a whistle-blower then then deserve our support. I fully support the call for better legal protection for whistle-blowers and voted in favour of this report.

2016/11/22

I voted for this report, which aims to guide the direction of development. At the heart of this is the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals between now and 2030. To achieve real change to people’s lives over the next decade, we need to build a consensus and continue to improve the coordination of individual EU countries’ aid programmes and EU programmes.Of course, what really counts is hard cash, so I welcome the call to keep up the pressure on the 0.7% aid target. The report also urges an increased focus on tackling corruption and discusses country—by—country reporting. I agree that we need radical plans on areas including global tax justice to help fund development.Since the last Consensus was signed in 2005, much has changed in the world both politically and economically. I was pleased to see that the report reiterates how the main focus of development must be poverty reduction. We must remain vigilant to ensure governments don’t use their aid budgets as a way to tackle other issues such as migration and the fight against global terrorism.

2016/11/22

Given the rhetoric and action on women coming from the current President of the United States, this report comes at an important time and I supported the amendment highlighting the disastrous impact of the Global Gag rule initiated by Trump. The report also calls for decent working conditions for women, and supports the establishment of an ILO Convention to address gender-based violence in the workplace.

2016/11/22

Everyone has seen the negative headlines around match—fixing, doping and corruption in sport. I voted in favour of this report as it is important to support and protect the integrity of sport, which, as seen by London 2012, can be a beacon for positivity.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. The EU should not be an obstacle to adoption by creating additional bureaucratic problems – what is important is acting in the best interests of the child.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of Ecuador’s succession to the safeguard clause and stabilisation mechanism for bananas. This agreement includes regular information on the trends in bananas and statistics about imports to facilitate trade.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Happy 30th birthday Erasmus! This programme has allowed more than three million young people to study elsewhere in Europe over the past 30 years. I know how much students from the Universities of Cambridge, Essex, Hertfordshire and East Anglia have enjoyed their experiences, and that they have found this programme very valuable. Research exchanges fostering collaboration are crucial to further scientific advances, while experience abroad is also proven to increases job prospects for young people. I was therefore proud to vote for this report.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of laying down rules for the implementation of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement, as it facilitates trade with Kosovo, such as tariff-free quotas for agricultural and fisheries products.

2016/11/22

Today I voted in favour of continuing the International Science and Technology Centre in Kazakhstan, after the withdrawal of Russian participation. Research into the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is important for global security.

2016/11/22

I voted in support of this proposal. TEN-T funding has greatly benefited the East of England, for example on the route out of Felixstowe. Many people will remember navigating the Haughley Bends on the A14 before the road was straightened out thanks to EU funding!The economic impact of freight transport logistics can hardly be overestimated. The UK logistics and postal sector is worth approximately GBP 55 billion to the economy. Making better use of available capacity on key EU transport networks is important to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissions.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I strongly support this report which calls for a number of measures which can make a big difference to people at work. Too many people are in insecure employment and I support a ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts. As the living wage shows, treating staff better works for businesses too, it is a win-win situation.

2016/11/22

47 Written explanations of Alex MAYER

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