[ParlTrack]

I voted in favour, as the draft amending budget updates both the expenditure and the revenue sides of the budget to take account of the latest developments. It shows that the implementation of the EU programmes of the current financial framework has reached cruising speed.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, which is the logical result of the budget 2019 deal.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour because this vote ensures that there are funds available in the European budget to help Member States, which have been struck by a natural disaster, in an even more timely and efficient way.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. Although I believe that the draft budget amended by the Council does not entirely meet the real need for a sustainable, coherent and efficient Union budget, Parliament’s objective is to provide the Union with a budget that can deliver tangible benefits to the citizens and companies and adopting this resolution takes us one step closer toward achieving that goal.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour as this agreement is of major bilateral and global strategic importance, representing a timely signal in support of open, fair, values- and rules-based trade, while promoting high standards.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour as the Agreement strengthens the overall partnership between EU and Japan by promoting political and sectoral cooperation across a wide spectrum of policy fields, such as climate change, research and innovation, maritime affairs, education, culture, migration, counter-terrorism and the fight against organised crime and cybercrime.Additionally, the agreement restates the Parties’ commitment to safeguard international peace and security by preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and by taking measures to deal with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. It establishes a Joint Committee with the objective of coordinating the overall partnership which is built upon the Agreement. This Committee will be co-chaired by the HRVP.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour as the Agreement strengthens the overall partnership between EU and Japan by promoting political and sectoral cooperation across a wide spectrum of policy fields, such as climate change, research and innovation, maritime affairs, education, culture, migration, counter-terrorism and the fight against organised crime and cybercrime.Additionally, the agreement restates the Parties’ commitment to safeguard international peace and security by preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and by taking measures to deal with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. It establishes a Joint Committee with the objective of coordinating the overall partnership which is built upon the Agreement. This Committee will be co-chaired by the HRVP.

2016/11/22

I voted for this report because we, Labour and S&D colleagues, have worked very hard to embed a progressive character to the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe. The main concerns of the S&D, such as the SME Instrument, global challenges, climate change, gender balance and SSH (social sciences and humanities) have been covered. This will give a social balance to this proposal that was missing in the European Commission text.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report as it takes stock of the most important developments in the realm of the Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP) over the last year, in terms of the institutional set-up of the CFSP, horizontal issues, such as human rights, non-proliferation and spread of the EU values and geographical issues concerning the main areas of the CFSP: enlargement, transatlantic relations, relations with Russia, EU neighbourhood, Middle East and Asia.

2016/11/22

I voted to support this CSDP report, which welcomed a new focus on defence in Europe. Importantly, this report stresses that EU defence cooperation should only take place alongside NATO so that the two institutions do not compete. This will be important for the UK, as one of NATO’s major powers. It condemns the Salisbury chemical attacks and urges, alongside the UK, the Council to sanction those responsible.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this , which aims to look at the human rights and democracy challenges in third countries and the parliamentary scrutiny of human rights in external policies for the year 2017.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. In a world where Trump does not fully back NATO and of increased volatility throughout the world, Europe is making the decision to step up its defence cooperation through initiatives such as PESCO. Part of this is to foster Europe’s defence industry supporting strategic autonomy and hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process. This new fund will support cross—border technology cooperation in the defence industry offering Europe’s armed forces more options whilst providing taxpayers with more value for money. Labour MEPs voted in favour of amendments to open up the possibility of the UK taking part in this fund in order to preserve thousands of quality jobs in the UK’s defence sector.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report. This report contains a lot of good and important elements, while at the same time also underlying the importance of promoting the territorial accessibility and connectivity of all regions of the Union, including the remote, outermost, island, peripheral, mountain and cross-border regions, as well as in depopulated and scarcely populated areas, many of which can be found in my constituency of Scotland.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because of the crucial need to prepare pupils and students to deal with social and economic challenges brought about by rapid technological and social developments. Educational institutions play a key role in order to equip learners with the appropriate skills, with particular attention to students with disabilities, minority groups, migrant communities, early school leavers, the long-term unemployed and the elderly. We recommend the introduction of cybersecurity—related teaching programmes in academic and vocational training curricula.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour, as in times of increased labour mobility, protecting social rights is of the utmost importance. Equally important is maintaining the continuity of social security when moving from one legislation to another. With this report, we seek to guarantee to all EU workers effective social protection that does not discriminate against anyone. We also want to bring more clarity to the rules applicable to posted and self-employed workers, as well as to people engaged in multiple activities abroad.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this proposal to set up an efficient and effective European Labour Authority (ELA) in order to end labour exploitation and ensure fair mobility of workers across the EU. With over 20 million mobile workers in the EU, protecting labour and social rights and ensuring fair mobility are more crucial than ever. Yet national labour authorities can do little to monitor and apply EU rules across borders, thus leaving room for exploitation of loopholes in the current legislation. This is why we need a real and effective European Labour Authority. We want to make sure that cases of labour exploitation can be detected in time and that EU legislation is properly applied to protect mobile workers across the EU.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report which enables Member States to use remaining committed funds of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to address Union priorities in the area of migration, including carrying out relocation.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted to support the proposal for a new LIFE programme for 2021-2027. The proposed increase in funding will be crucial to promote environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects in Europe. I also support the inclusion of provisions for the association of third countries in the programme.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report in order to take another important step in protecting European workers from work-related cancer. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, reached an agreement on legislation covering a further eight cancer-causing chemicals, including diesel exhaust. This will ensure better protection for more than 20 million workers in Europe. Workers in the chemical, metal and car industry, professional drivers, construction workers and workers in the dock and warehouse sector, in particular, will benefit. At the same time, it will make our internal market simpler and fairer, with particular attention to help small and micro-enterprises comply with health and safety rules.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report in order to address demands from citizens that the risk assessment process in the area of food law be more transparent.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, as the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is one of the longest-established EU agencies. As a leading centre of expertise, over the years Cedefop has broadened the scope of its activities to cover skills and qualifications. This vote was essential to update Cedefop’s objectives and tasks in such a way that the Founding Regulation reflects the multifaceted nature of the agency’s work.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. The current revision of the EU-OSHA founding regulation, together with the Cedefop and Eurofound regulations, which are being updated in parallel, represents an important reform. It provides an opportunity to streamline aspects of the Agency’s organisation and to reinforce important principles such as evaluation, transparency and cost-effectiveness. The Rapporteur has sought to pursue these objectives while avoiding unnecessary changes, given the work EU-OSHA already undertakes in helping to ensure the highest standards of occupational health and safety.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report to amend the objectives and tasks of one of the longest-established EU agencies – the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) – so as better to reflect its current contribution to the development of social and employment-related policies.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report. The Union needs to ensure preparedness for all possible outcomes related to the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, especially when it comes to a key sector such as the automotive industry. This regulation will deliver an element of preparedness to deal with any possible adverse effects that the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union may have on manufacturers of motor vehicles. Manufacturers should not be punished for having chosen a UK type-approval authority, while provisions for preparedness should fully respect the Union framework for type approval. This regulation provides manufacturers with legal certainty, whilst maintaining liability for both type-approval authorities and manufacturers alike, and without altering the current framework of type-approval legislation.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report, which calls on the Commission to put forward a legislative proposal establishing a European Humanitarian Visa, giving access to European territory for the sole purpose of submitting an application for international protection. Humanitarian visas will help to address the intolerable death toll in the Mediterranean and on the migration routes to the EU, to combat human smuggling, and better to manage arrivals, reception and the processing of asylum claims.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Currently, travellers from 104 countries and entities are required to have a visa in order to enter the EU. The number of visa applications has increased by 50% in the last few years, from 10.2 million in 2009 to 15.2 million in 2016. I voted in favour of this report, which aimed at facilitating legitimate travel for tourism, trade and business, whilst preventing irregular immigration and contributing to internal security. In addition to the positive changes proposed by the Commission, the S&D rapporteur secured further simplified procedures for bona fide travellers and a positive link between visa and migration policy.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I abstained on this report, as I do not believe it represents an adequate solution to VAT fraud, and that other solutions are needed.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report which urges the Council to admit Bulgaria and Romania to the border check-free Schengen area as soon as possible as all the necessary conditions for the full application of the Schengen acquis were met by Bulgaria and Romania already in 2011.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of a report supporting increased cooperation at the EU level on military mobility. It stresses that it is the sovereign right of each country to decide which military equipment and troops are permitted to cross their borders but that in line with either their EU or NATO commitments, countries should have coordinated rules on military movements. Given the increased instability on Europe’s borders it is essential that, provided each country agrees, military forces are able to move across Europe quickly to respond to a crisis.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report as it represents a huge opportunity to adopt a comprehensive and coherent policy for culture at European level.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this proposal as it calls for fair public procurement, which takes into account social criteria, workers’ rights, environmental criteria and SMEs, as well as those using publicly procured facilities.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this proposal, which changes Eurojust’s structure, field of action and operation, including a new governance model. This will enhance Eurojust’s efficiency in tackling cross-border crime.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this regulation, which aims to ensure the effective freezing and confiscation of criminal assets across the EU.Confiscating assets generated by criminal activities is a very efficient tool to fight crime and terrorism.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this proposal because the adoption of this Regulation represents an important step toward creating Europe’s Digital Single Market and toward achieving an increased competition for cloud services and a more varied choice for consumers. The new rules will encourage more flexibility in the market for cloud services, ensuring that businesses are free to choose the most cost-effective locations for IT resources, to switch between service providers, and to be free to make full use of cloud services.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this proposal which is a vital step in reducing cross border VAT fraud and helps to further reduce compliance cost for business by EUR 1 billion.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this proposal, as it has no negative implications for the Union’s budget and will extend an efficient tool for Member States to fight fraud.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this proposal, as without it the full automation of movements of goods released for consumption will not be possible.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report, which will boost EU cooperation in the field of health technology assessment and help all EU Governments to make the best decisions about the added value of new drugs and technologies. The new rules will set up a mandatory EU structure to carry out joint clinical assessments, overseen by a coordination group made up of national representatives. This will allow countries to pool resources and avoid unnecessary duplication of assessments.The new rules will bring huge benefit to patients across the Union. The EU structure will help create a level playing field for all EU patients and, by removing the risk of diverging results, will minimise delays in access to new treatments.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this proposal as I am strongly committed to the transition to a low-carbon economy that will save money for consumers through lower fuel costs; contribute to curbing climate warming and improve human health; and ensure EU and UK manufacturers lead the way in industrial and technological innovation.I also backed social measures to make sure that no one is left behind during this transition: targeted programmes at EU, national and region levels for re-skilling of workers, as well as education and job-seeking initiatives in the regions and communities most affected.With time running out in the fight against climate change, this legislation can ensure investment in new, innovative developments in low-carbon technologies, which can foster economic growth, boost job creation, and improve citizens’ health and wellbeing.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this proposal because it will help to create a robust single European VAT area by ensuring that Member States are treated equally.

2016/11/22

Today I voted in favour of funds to help redundant workers in the financial sector in three Dutch regions to find a new job. The majority of the redundant workers are women (59 %) who are part of the administrative personnel or receptionists and have lost their jobs due to the financial and economic crisis.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the revised directive – which will apply to broadcasters, video-on-demand and video-sharing platforms, such as Netflix, YouTube or Facebook, as well as to live streaming on video-sharing platforms – because it provides enhanced protection for children, stricter rules on advertising, and foresees that at least 30 % of content in programmes of TV channels and VOD platforms must be European.Effective and efficient new rules have been introduced into the law that prohibit any content inciting violence, hatred and terrorism, while gratuitous violence and pornography will be subject to the strictest rules. The European Parliament negotiators also secured a personal data protection mechanism for children, imposing measures to ensure that data collected by audiovisual media providers are not processed for commercial use, including profiling and behaviourally targeted advertising.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of redeploying funds to support humanitarian aid and to fund additional actions linked to the Central Mediterranean migratory route, that the Trust Fund helps address at the source, and to fulfil part of the pledge made at the conference ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region’. My group has tabled an amendment highlighting the importance of full respect of international human rights standards with regard to the treatment of migrants.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report which provides that single distilled shochu produced by pot still and bottled in Japan should be allowed to be placed on the market of the EU in traditional bottle sizes of 720 ml and 1800 ml, provided that other applicable EU legal requirements are fulfilled.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of the draft recommendation because I firmly believe that it is in the EU’s interest that we consent to the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of Amendment 1 to the Memorandum of Cooperation NAT-I-9406 between the United States of America and the European Union.

2016/11/22

The EU-Canada Air Transport Agreement is a comprehensive air transport agreement that includes a gradual phasing-in of traffic rights and far-reaching cooperation on a number of issues, including safety, security, environment, air traffic management, state aids and competition, although regrettably minimal provisions on social matters, labour rights and the far-reaching consequences of the liberalisation of the sector. I voted to support the report as Parliament’s approval will allow the Republic of Croatia to become a Party to the Agreement on Air transport between Canada, the European Community and its Member States following its accession to the EU in 2014.

2016/11/22

I voted against the final Parliament text. I do not think it delivers for citizens, consumers, researchers and educational establishments and will only favour the bigger right-holders and their business models.I am against granting publishers a new right under Article 11, as such a right has already been introduced in both Spain and Germany and did not deliver the desired outcome. Creating this new right will only benefit the big publishing houses and not the smaller ones. This happened in Spain with smaller publishers losing as much as 14% of their web traffic after the new right was introduced. Nowhere under Article 11 is there an inbuilt guarantee that journalists and authors will get better pay should the publishers acquire this new right.I am also against the final wording of Article 13 which deals with platform liability. While I firmly believe that platforms should pay creators and authors fairly and take down illegal content uploaded by their users, I do not believe that making almost all existing platforms sift through literally all uploads made by their users, including legal content, is the right way to do this. Filtering technologies are hugely expensive, not to mention that sifting through people’s uploads may undermine their privacy.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report which proposes tightening controls on people entering or leaving the EU with EUR 10 000 or more in cash or precious commodities in order to prevent the smuggling of cash across borders.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report to deal more effectively with terrorist funding and to reduce the threat from terrorist organisations by making it harder for them to finance their activities.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report stating that the situation in Hungary presents a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values referred to in Article 2 of the Treaties and calls on the Article 7(1) procedure. The report invites the Council to investigate the situation for its part and to address appropriate recommendations to Hungary in this regard. Any risk of breaching EU values harms the effectiveness and credibility of the defence of fundamental rights, human rights and democracy globally.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report taking stock of EU-US relations, currently at an all time low. No matter how much damage President Trump causes and how much he undermines the transatlantic relationship, the report emphasises that we cannot allow him to poison the important relationship between the US and Europe - a pillar of global peace, security and free trade. Europe must work hard to defend its interests while anticipating a time when Trump is no longer President.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report which calls on EU Member States to step up their unity on China policies and take advantage of Europe’s much greater collective bargaining power in order to counteract China’s influence. The report condemns the ongoing harassment, arrest and prosecution of human rights defenders in China, and calls on China to increase transparency and adhere to environmental and societal standards.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because it will benefit EU seed companies operating in Brazil and Moldova, EU importers of seed, and EU farmers, who will have access to a wider range of seed.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, as it will foster entrepreneurship across the Union by introducing administrative simplification measures for small enterprises.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report which classifies several new substances as illegal, in order to implement the appropriate level of control to assure EU-wide protection of individuals against any synthetic opioids that may endanger their life or health and to prevent the financing of organised crime.

2016/11/22

The European Union Solidarity Fund enables the EU to provide financial support to a Member State in the event of a major natural disaster. Bulgaria, Greece, Lithuania and Poland were affected by earthquakes, flooding or storms in 2017 and I voted in favour of EUR 34 million in financial assistance to fund vital emergency and recovery operations in the affected areas.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because I believe the financing of the PEACE programme must be continued post 2020, and participation in Interreg programmes, which are particularly important for the stability of the Northern Ireland, should also continue to be possible. Furthermore, the PEACE programme should be taken as the EU ‘model’ and promoted as a tool to overcome mistrust among conflicting communities to achieve lasting peace.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because exceptional circumstances sometimes require flexibility and in this case, these special measures played an important role in sustaining the Greek economy at a time of stretched financial liquidity. We have to bear in mind that the primary goal of the EU cohesion policy is to bring added value to public and private funding. In that sense, exceptional measures like the one foreseen in Regulation 2015/1839 can be justified only on an exceptional basis.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, which calls for EU Member States to introduce new and progressive legislation to ensure that those people in the workplace who suffer from chronic health issues and disabilities are adequately protected whilst in employment, and have the necessary tools to successfully transition back into the workplace should they choose to do so. Labour MEPs recently launched the Dying to Work campaign on the European level, which calls for additional employment protection for terminally ill workers. The amendments proposed in this report directly reflect the aims of this campaign, and are testament to the positive and progressive work Labour MEPs continue to achieve in the European Parliament despite Brexit.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report which calls for more transparency around the equivalence granting process as well as making equivalence decisions dependent on satisfactory third-country rules on fighting tax evasion, tax fraud, tax avoidance and money laundering, which could contribute to a fairer tax system.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report because we must support border regions, which generally perform less well economically than other regions within a Member States by reducing the complexity, length and costs of cross-border interaction and promoting the pooling of services along internal borders.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of the agreement in order to kick-start this interesting initiative, which will give young people the chance to take part in projects that will benefit communities across Europe. This programme is an important step in the process to strengthen solidarity in Europe, and Parliament negotiators secured within the programme a wide range of activities and actions, such as solidarity, education, health, environmental protection, disaster prevention, provision of food and non-food items as well as reception and integration of migrants and asylum seekers. Priority will be given to non-profit activities, which is key.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, which extends the current Euratom Programme by two years. Euratom aims to improve nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, and to contribute to the long-term decarbonisation of the energy system in a safe, efficient and secure way.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, which calls on politicians to attend management training and encourage it in others in order to tackle combat mobbing and sexual harassment, as well as urging Member States to ratify the Istanbul Convention and develop national strategies to deal with violence against women and girls.

2016/11/22

. ‒ The extent of multilingualism is one of the greatest assets of cultural diversity in Europe and, at the same time, one of the most significant challenges in the creation of a truly integrated EU, in particular with the development of language technology – technology that supports not only spoken but also sign languages. Language technologies are used in everyday digital products and services. I voted in favour of the report as I am committed to promoting multilingualism and to tackling the deepening digital divide between widely used and less-used languages.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of this report because it demonstrates the European Parliament’s commitment to tackling the human rights abuses and climate change issues caused by illegal forestry and unmanaged supply chains from forestry and forestry-related products entering the EU. This report will send a clear indication to the Commission, when it comes to reassess how the Union deals with this kind of trade, that supply chain due diligence is important for forests and forest-linked commodities.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the resolution which provides guidelines on the framework of the future EU-UK relations. In particular, I fully support what has been written in the resolution under paragraph 11 ‘Reiterates that the UK’s membership of the internal market and the customs union would be the best solution for both the UK and the EU-27 and the only one which can guarantee continued frictionless trade and fully preserve the benefits of our economic relations; recalls that internal market participation requires full adherence to the four freedoms and incorporation of corresponding EU rules, a level playing field, including through a competition and state aid regime, binding CJEU jurisprudence and contributions to the EU budget; notes that a customs union removes tariff barriers and some customs controls, but requires compliance with EU trade policy and a common external border; takes note that the UK Government continues to rule out both the internal market and the customs union;’I myself am a member and staunch support of the Scottish Labour Campaign for the Single Market and Customs Union and believe it is imperative the UK and Scotland remain in the Single Market and Customs Union post Brexit.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the final text. The new Regulation establishes common rules for the production of rail statistics at EU level, while introducing a modification referring to data collection. Statistical data on goods, passenger transport and accidents covering all EU railways are necessary with a view to monitoring and developing the common transport policy and transport safety.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of the resolution as a whole. It sets out Parliament’s position on the future of EU finances. I voted in favour of the report because it sets the right priorities by calling for more funds for programmes such as the research programme, the successor programme to Horizon 2020, the student exchange programme Erasmus+ and more funds to tackle youth unemployment.

2016/11/22

I abstained on the resolution. Although the resolution contained some good elements on strengthening the financing arrangements for the European Union, I was not convinced by two points: if a carbon border adjustment mechanism were to be introduced, this could on the one hand force the UK after Brexit to stick to its climate commitments (otherwise exporting goods to Europe as a third country might become more difficult), but it could also lead to more checks on UK products which are being exported to Europe. Also, paragraph 23 calls for the abolition of all rebates and underlines that Brexit will mean that the UK rebate will become obsolete. I decided to abstain as I find those two points difficult to agree with.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the report. It contains several good elements which would further strengthen the Annual Growth Survey if implemented.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the report, as in the end the text contained some good elements on improving employment and social aspects across the Union.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, as it supports the continuation of the functioning of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, as well as steal and coal research activities, through low-risk financial investments.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. The EU and New Zealand are close partners. This agreement fosters that partnership by providing for practical arrangements between the administrations, which secure global supply chains and facilitate the fight against customs fraud.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour because over 25 500 people lost their lives on EU roads in 2016 and over 130 000 people were recorded as seriously injured. These shocking figures underline that targeted measures and new technologies with clear road safety benefits are urgently needed. We therefore welcome the communication by the European Commission as well as the report of the European Parliament, considering that the cooperation between intelligent systems has the potential to significantly improve road safety: it helps the driver to take the right decision and adapt to the traffic situation. We are of the opinion that policymakers should not merely focus their eyes on futuristic systems, but should also ensure the adoption of life-saving technologies that are available now or that are near-to-market, and that is why we are insisting that further legislative action should be taken at EU level if no significant progress is made by 2022.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the final text agreed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission in December 2017. These new proposed rules are an important element of the Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy in supporting e-commerce growth as part of a modern and fair social Europe. In this context, we are confident that with this new regulation we will assist in securing for the parcels sector more transparency of tariffs and employment practices and a better deal for consumers and small businesses ordering cross-border parcels.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of the final text reached in trilogue deliberations. In a competitive EU market with constant cross-border services development and continuous shift towards a digital economy, transport companies often tend to offer more services but without investing enough on their drivers’ training and skills development or their working conditions. There is evidence that this has unfortunately caused more accidents involving trucks on EU roads. The efficiency and safety of the road transport business rely heavily both on the quality of vehicles used and on the skills of the drivers employed by the transportation companies. For this reason, the qualification and periodic training of drivers, and the ability to verify those skills and enforce the legislation that regulates them across the EU must be regularly updated to match the fast moving changes influencing the industry and its operators.

2016/11/22

. ‒ I voted in favour of the decision to enter into negotiations on establishing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. Only 1 in 5 of current EU FTA make a reference to women’s rights, and only 2 out of 5 include references aiming to promote gender equality. This INI report provides the Commission with a series a recommendations on how to improve this situation.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because it emphasises the need to apply tailor-made strategies/programmes/actions to suit the need of different lagging regions in order to stimulate their economic growth and sustainable development.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs support the idea of tackling EU fraud by pooling together the resources of Member States in the areas of investigation and prosecution. It is important that Member States work together in protecting the EU budget. However, it is essential that we avoid conflict between national constitutional rules and secondary EU law in order not to hinder the work of national practitioners. Failure to do so could lead to a supranational body which may interfere with their daily work and which may influence priority setting at the national level.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted to adopt this report which calls for guarantees for juvenile offenders, children of imprisoned parents, overcrowding, education programmes, and work in prisons.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs support this report in order to enable Bulgaria and Romania to be involved with the Entry-Exit System from the start of its operation.

2016/11/22

The main purpose of passenger ship safety laws must be to ensure passengers and crew can travel safely on board passenger ships and boats in the EU. The proposed simplification should help to ensure improved implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the applicable rules in Member States and thereby contribute to maintaining a high overall safety level. However, it is very important that passenger confidence is maintained and that penalties for breach of the national provisions adopted to implement this Directive will be adequate and enforced. The final text moves in the right direction in these respects and it is worth supporting it.

2016/11/22

The adoption of this review results in elimination of the requirement for double reporting of passengers and alignment of existing reporting requirements for all operators, by enabling information on the number of persons on board to be recorded in an existing electronic system. In the event of an emergency or accident, this allows data to be transmitted immediately to the competent authority instead of being retrieved from the company system, prior to departure or arrival at any EU port. It also ensures that the required information on crew and passengers will be recorded in the same electronic system, including more concrete information such as the nationality of the passengers. The proposed amendments will lead to increased safety for shipping in EU waters and will contribute to making rescue work more efficient in the event of shipping disasters.

2016/11/22

This proposal aims to put in place clear, simplified and more robust common rules for ro-ro ferries and high-speed passenger craft starting and finishing journeys in the EU. A coherent legal framework is necessary to ensure not only a common safety level but also a competitive environment which is fair for all operators irrespective of their nationality or the flag of the vessel. We voted in favour of this report that will help strengthen the directive, in particular by stipulating biannual inspections and by resolving legal uncertainty.

2016/11/22

This resolution puts pressure on all parties to advance the negotiations and make progress on the key issues such as citizens’ rights and Northern Ireland, ahead of the next round of talks. Conservative chaos and confusion has led us to this current impasse, but it is vital that major issues are resolved and the talks progress.Labour MEPs did not vote for the part of the resolution that dealt with the question of whether the negotiations should progress; however, Labour MEPs voted in favour of the final resolution in an effort to put pressure on the UK government to make progress on the vital issues of citizens' rights and Northern Ireland ahead of the October European Council meeting.

2016/11/22

With this new legislation, we are improving the prevention and management of waste and encouraging the reuse and recycling of those products and materials in the EU.

2016/11/22

As well as fostering gender equality as a fundamental right, women’s economic empowerment must also be recognised as an important instrument for a revitalised economy and greater growth and prosperity. This report calls on Member States to introduce concrete measures that will tackle the gender pay gap and to enable women to equally participate in the labour market.

2016/11/22

In the context of the increasing economic and social damage, and the risk to fundamental rights posed by cybercrime, Labour MEPs voted in favour of this report which calls for a common legal definition of cybercrime, and proposes solutions which include strategies to identify network and information security vulnerabilities, and the promotion of awareness-raising, information and prevention campaigns.

2016/11/22

Today Labour MEPs voted in favour of a report highlighting the opportunities of closer relationships between the EU and the Asian countries of the ASEAN association. The report rightly criticised the areas that are in need of improvement such as the plight of the stateless Rohingya people, yet it was also constructive in outlining areas for closer cooperation between ASEAN and the EU.

2016/11/22

There are 80 million disabled persons in the EU and their number could reach 120 million by 2020 mostly due to the aging of the population in Europe. We need to improve the EU-wide accessibility of products and services to ensure the inclusiveness of our society. Many activities that we take for granted still remain inaccessible to people with disabilities and people with functional limitations.The Socialists and Democrats Group fought exceedingly hard to improve the watered down text, which was adopted by a right wing majority at committee level. This hard work paid off in the end and crucial wording on reinserting the applicability of the Accessibility Act to other Union acts, such as public procurement or the EU Structural Funds; applying accessibility requirements for built environment; inclusion of people with functional limitations into the scope of the Act, were adopted today during the plenary vote. Thanks to the hard work of my political Group I was able to vote in favour of the report as I believe the adopted text will help to significantly improve accessibility of products and services for people with disabilities across the Union.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, which focuses on the need to upgrade the European education and training systems in line with the fast changing economic and societal environment. The report also highlights the growing need to invest in transferable and social skills, as well as media literacy and intercultural skills, and to adopt a lifelong learning perspective. It further recognises the key role played by non-formal and informal learning in order to equip people with competences and skills needed to become active and responsible citizens in more harmonious societies.

2016/11/22

This Agreement creates an open framework accessible for European neighbour countries which wish to fully integrate into the European aviation community. The European Common Aviation Area is based on the principles of free market access, freedom of establishment, equal conditions of competition, and common rules including in the areas of safety, security, air traffic management, social issues and environment. The ECAA partner countries commit to align their aviation legislation with the Union acquis. Since this Agreement was originally negotiated, passenger numbers between the EU and the Western Balkans, direct city connections, and the number of carriers have all seen a significant increase. We should therefore recognise the practical relevance of the Agreement and support its extension.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report outlining political priorities for EU relations with India. A strengthened partnership between the world’s largest democracies is vital to tackle climate change, preserve global peace and stability and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. I call on both sides to tap the potential of relations between the EU as the world’s leading trading block and India - which tops the ranks of the fastest growing major economies - to fight poverty and inequality, create jobs and growth, and advance gender equality and women’s rights.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of providing EU Solidarity Funds to Italy in the wake of the terrible earthquakes of last year. It is vital that EU countries show solidarity with fellow citizens and governments when they have been affected by national disasters. The UK made use of this fund in 2015 when our country was hit by flooding. Now we must reciprocate and show the same compassion and solidarity to the Italian people affected by these awful earthquakes.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of providing EU Solidarity Funds to Italy in the wake of the terrible earthquakes of last year. It is vital that EU countries show solidarity with fellow citizens and governments when they have been affected by national disasters. The UK made use of this fund in 2015 when our country was hit by flooding. Now we must reciprocate and show the same compassion and solidarity to the Italian people affected by these awful earthquakes.

2016/11/22

Today I voted to provide support for workers who have lost their jobs as a result of major changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation. These workers deserve our solidarity and support to find new jobs.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Aviation activities are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and, in the absence of further measures, emissions from international aviation are estimated to quadruple by 2050 compared to 2010 levels. This risks undermining the EU’s and global efforts to live up to the Paris climate commitments and effectively tackle climate change. Further action by the sector is needed to ensure that it plays its role in the fight against climate change.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted to adopt this report to update the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002, which lays down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals. The Annex shows a new design for such residence permits for increased security.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs fought extremely hard to place tackling youth unemployment at the forefront of EU policy. I therefore welcome the additional resources to support young people to find a good quality offer of employment, continued education or apprenticeship.

2016/11/22

Franchising is a business model that holds potential for the Single Market, given the low levels of its utilisation in Europe compared to many other developed economies. However, franchising can only work when the relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee is balanced, when the contract terms are fair, and when the parties of franchising contracts are sufficiently protected and represented on a European level.I voted in favour of this report as I support its call for action to make franchising in Europe more fair and sustainable by: ensuring a better representation of franchisees; establishing homogeneous guidelines reflecting best practices on the functioning of franchising, thorough collection of information on the state of franchising and the prevalence of unfair trading practices and unfair contract terms; and ensuring that the Union regulatory framework, including competition law, contributes to these goals.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the report, which recognises that many educational and training institutions are facing significant challenges, as a result of the digital transformation, which have an impact on teaching and learning processes. In parallel, there is a need to bolster the capacity for social inclusion and civic participation as well as personal development, and to enhance European democratic values and tolerance with a view to fostering open-mindedness and preventing intolerance of any kind. Academic further and distance education are important tools to address some of these challenges. They can provide flexible and personalised education opportunities which allow school leavers and adult learners to overcome social and physical barriers and existing discriminations.

2016/11/22

Every European should benefit from Wi-Fi connectivity, no matter where they live or how much they earn. Ensuring access to high-speed broadband services free of charge is key to building a digital union that leaves no one behind. WiFi4EU can help increase connectivity for European citizens and thus facilitate access to e-services. It is important that we ensure a geographical balance between and within Member States so that everyone can benefit whilst promoting digital inclusion. This is about the internet of people, not things.

2016/11/22

I supported this report, which represents a big step towards strengthening the EU’s energy security. For the first time, the solidarity principle will apply. In the case of a serious gas supply crisis, EU countries will have to help their neighbours out in order to prevent Europeans from being left without a heating supply in cold weather.As gas covers around a quarter of the EU’s energy demand and more than two thirds of the EU’s gas is imported, securing the gas supply is a priority. Although EU countries had taken some steps after the gas crises of 2006 and 2009, some countries still remained vulnerable to supply disruptions. Closer regional cooperation among Member States on preventive and emergency measures is the best way to ensure security of the gas supply.This report is a good example of cooperation between Member States to secure the gas supply.

2016/11/22

The Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence is the most comprehensive legal framework on ending violence against women and girls. EU accession to the Istanbul Convention will provide a coherent legal framework to combat violence against women, in prevention and prosecution as well as supporting all victims. The adoption of this interim report, backed by Labour MEPs, demonstrates a zero tolerance of gender-based violence and calls for a swift ratification by all Member States without reservations.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Today Labour MEPs voted in favour of suspending accession with Turkey if it goes ahead with constitutional reforms that threaten the rule of law and the separation of powers. Importantly, this report makes it clear that if accession talks are suspended, any accession funding that the EU currently provides should go directly to the NGOs and civil-society organisations that are under threat in an increasingly authoritarian Turkey.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report as it is important the social and economic rights of citizens in the outermost regions of the EU are respected and that we address the challenges faced by these regions because of their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, and economic dependence on a few products.

2016/11/22

Labour voted to support the Commission in its signing of a new agreement between the EU and Cuba which aims to increase trade and dialogue. The agreement also has rules on human rights standards that will bring down the agreement if they are not met.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of this Memorandum which aims at establishing a cooperation framework between eu-LISA and Eurojust in order to exchange expertise and best practice developed in the implementation of their respective mandates.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs support measures in the fight against fraud and corruption, and ensuring that cross-border VAT fraud can be tackled more rigorously and that the financial interests of the EU will be better protected.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of the report, which finally gives proper recognition to the key role of culture and intercultural dialogue in external relations and development policies, in particular for conflict resolution and prevention, peace-making and empowerment of local populations. The report reaffirms that an ambitious and sound cultural strategy, including cultural diplomacy, is needed to achieve a new consensus on development and smart relations with third countries, in a more and more polarised and complex world. We will now scrutinise the implementation of the strategy by the Commission and in particular the EEAS.

2016/11/22

I supported this report that will permit the gradual opening of, or reinforced participation, in certain European Union programmes for Kosovo.

2016/11/22

Standardisation should not and cannot replace the role of the legislator, but we need to preserve and develop the successful elements of the European standardisation system, because standards have a crucial role in the functioning of the single market, especially in an era where ICT development will depend more and more on ensuring interoperability! This report emphasises that the best quality standards are developed in a fair environment and in a transparent, open and inclusive manner. It also highlights the need to ensure that the various interests and stakeholders are properly represented in standardisation.

2016/11/22

I supported this report. It presents the Parliament’s position on covered bonds ahead of the legislative proposal of the Commission due to come out in the first quarter of 2018. Covered bonds are debt securities created from public sector loans or mortgage loans backed by a pool of assets that covers the bond if the originator becomes insolvent. Their good performance during the financial crisis ensured that that they remained a key investment vehicle in many EU countries. Due to the divergences in the national system, it is important to ensure through EU legislation that all covered bonds in the EU are of high quality and sustainable in the long run.

2016/11/22

This report aims to get the European Commission to look at ways of supporting fishers benefit from tourism to coastal communities, and will bring economic and social benefits to fishing villages. If action can be taken on encouraging fisheries-related tourism, employment opportunities will also grow, and I therefore voted in favour of this report.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of the report, which addresses human rights violations in context of war crimes, genocide and gender-based violence. The report reaffirms the support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) as well as urging the EU to engage more with third countries to stop human rights violations. We will now scrutinise the Commission in how it acts as a result of this report.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because it calls for better working conditions and for policies that encourage more stable forms of employment. It defines decent work as work that provides a living wage, respect of collective bargaining, workers’ participation in company matters, equal treatment of workers, workplace health and safety, social security protection for workers and their dependents, provisions on working and rest time, protection against dismissal, access to training and lifelong learning and support to work-life balance for all workers.

2016/11/22

Serbia has been in accession talks with the EU for several years and the country has been an official candidate since 2012. This has helped the EU to successfully provide stability in the Balkans. Through the accession talks, Serbia has made progress in areas such as the rule of law although it still has significant work to do. Today, Labour voted in favour of a report supporting the Commission’s work in Serbia’s accession to the EU. EU membership has been, and continues to be, a vital tool in providing increased stability and prosperity in Serbia and the wider Balkan region.

2016/11/22

Kosovo has been making slow but steady progress in improving its judiciary, in the fight against corruption and the normalising of relations with Serbia. The possibility of EU membership as well as the pre accession funds provide vital stability in an otherwise volatile region and it is therefore essential that the EU continues to work with Kosovo towards EU membership. Labour MEPs voted in favour of continuing this work and thereby providing for stability in the wider Balkan region.

2016/11/22

Macedonia has been an EU candidate country for many years and has improved its public services as well as promoting the standard of living of its citizens. The dialogue and trade that exists as a result of the EU’s accession process with Macedonia has helped contribute to essential peace and stability in the Balkans. Labour MEPs voted in favour of a report supporting the Commission’s work in Macedonia and further helping peace and prosperity for Macedonian citizens in their path to EU membership.

2016/11/22

With my socialist colleagues, I voted in favour of this report because it urges the European Commission to differentiate its communication strategies towards net contributor and net beneficiary Member States, while highlighting the specific benefits that cohesion policy brings in terms of the real economy, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, creating growth and jobs in all EU regions.

2016/11/22

EU research funding is very important, and it is vital that it is spent in a cost-effective manner. This report, which was co-drafted by S&D, concludes that, overall, research money has been spent cost-effectively, but there are several important improvements that should be made.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this regulation, which will make choosing energy efficient appliances simpler for consumers. New energy labels will enhance consumers ability to choose products which use less energy thus enabling citizens to participate in the fight against climate change and cut their energy bills.

2016/11/22

Becoming a European Capital of Culture is synonymous with urban sustainable regeneration, increased investment, quality job creation and long term local social and economic development. As the European Capital of Culture in 1990, Glasgow brought in millions of extra visitors and pounds, as did Liverpool when titled European Capital of Culture in 2008. Glasgow and Liverpool are great examples of the deep and positive transformations that such a title can bring to cities, and more broadly to the regions, around them. It is crucial that the UK is able to participate in the programme also in the future, celebrating cultural heritage and innovation in Britain’s cities and demonstrating that we are still part of the European cultural family.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because this report represents the main attempt to formulate the post-2020 cohesion policy. The Union should strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion. This objective shall be pursued with the EU Cohesion policy, the main EU-wide investment policy for jobs and growth. I believe that the fight against unemployment will be one of the main issues, next to the integration of migrants and the fight against climate and demographic change.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this legislative report because it will bring important changes to the fees that citizens all over Europe will pay to use their mobile phones while temporarily abroad. ‘Roam like at Home’ will significantly reduce the costs of using mobile phones when you travel abroad on holiday or for work. It will also be fair on telecoms operators too, with measures to ensure that those benefiting from the reduced tariffs while abroad really do habitually reside in the Member State that their SIM card is from.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of this reports to approve the Commission proposal for a Council decision on the application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the area of the Schengen Information System in the Republic of Croatia.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs have voted for better regulation of medical devices to prevent a repeat of scandals like the metal-on-metal hip replacements or PIP breast implants. The new law will strengthen requirements for medical devices and require high-risk devices to undergo additional, pre-market assessment. Stricter rules on post-market surveillance will ensure a faster response if there is a problem with a device and a new Unique Device Identification number will improve traceability and means patients will know what device they have been implanted with.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs have voted for better regulation of in vitro diagnostic medical devices to ensure that tests such as pregnancy tests and blood tests are accurate and reliable. The new law will strengthen requirements for these devices and require high-risk devices to undergo additional, pre-market assessment, while stricter rules on post-market surveillance will ensure a faster response if there is a problem with a device.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of these reports to approve the Council text in order to facilitate cross-border law-enforcement cooperation in the EU.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of these reports to approve the Council text in order to facilitate cross-border law-enforcement cooperation in the EU.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of these reports to approve the Council text in order to facilitate cross-border law-enforcement cooperation in the EU.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs voted in favour of these reports to approve the Council text in order to facilitate cross-border law-enforcement cooperation in the EU.

2016/11/22

I supported this modified proposal as it will ensure that conflicts of interests are avoided in the future via a separation of responsibilities between type approval and market surveillance authorities. The report sets clearer obligations on economic operators and reporting duties by national authorities and strengthens the quality and independence of technical tests. This in turn will help to prevent and avoid any future emission scandals with no more faulty products being sold to EU citizens.

2016/11/22

Palm oil is becoming the root of numerous social and economic conflicts. The speed with which these changes are happening is alarming, and thus calls for an immediate response.Labour MEPs therefore called for the development of a single certification scheme, which must guarantee that only sustainably produced palm oil enters the EU market.As the third largest market for palm oil, the EU plays a significant role in what is happening in the tropical countries in which palm oil is being cultivated. Moreover, European financial institutions are among the largest investors in this sector. The EU and its Member States, as actors in this situation, should face up to their responsibility and take steps to improve the current situation.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs backed calls for greater recognition of the experiences of women in rural areas who so often disproportionately face the consequences of poor services and infrastructure. Women in rural setting also face increased obstacles to secure and safe employment and are locked out of the resources needed to start their own businesses. Investment in women in rural areas, and the vital services, will do much to protect rural communities that are increasingly vulnerable and allow local economies to thrive, building on agricultural and other businesses.

2016/11/22

After almost one year of investigating the car-emissions scandal, the European Parliament has adopted clear and ambitious recommendations to prevent vehicle emissions cheating in the future.After Dieselgate, business as usual is simply not an option. Labour wants to see stronger oversight of vehicle type-approval and market surveillance in the form of an independent EU agency for vehicle surveillance put in place. Dieselgate happened because of member states' failure to monitor car manufacturers’ compliance with emissions legislation and because EU law is not applied equally across Europe. That is why we want the EU to be able to carry out tests and investigations on cars, including surprise tests, to make sure member states and car manufacturers are doing their job – and if they don’t, have the power to withdraw type approvals. This report gives EU countries, including the UK, the opportunity to work together to recover trust in the car industry and get to grips with the air quality crisis taking 50 000 British lives every year.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs have voted to reduce exposure to mercury, a toxic substance that can seriously affect the nervous system and harm immune and reproductive systems. In particular, this regulation will protect vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women and children below 15, from the harmful effects of mercury.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs are committed to leading a transition towards an economic model that reduces waste and promotes re-use, efficiency, durability and recycling. We cannot continue with the existing paradigm. Around 600 million tonnes of waste are just thrown away in Europe when they could be reinvested in the economy. It is a matter of sustainability, efficiency and ethics.It is only by setting ambitious targets and goals and giving Member States the instruments and tools to change attitudes and practices that there will be any serious shift towards a more sustainable, resource-efficient circular economy.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs are committed to leading a transition towards an economic model that reduces waste and promotes re-use, efficiency, durability and recycling. We cannot continue with the existing paradigm. Around 600 million tonnes of waste are just thrown away in Europe when they could be reinvested in the economy. It is a matter of sustainability, efficiency and ethics.It is only by setting ambitious targets and goals and giving Member States the instruments and tools to change attitudes and practices that there will be any serious shift towards a more sustainable, resource-efficient circular economy.Labour MEPs also support and voted for measures to halve food waste by 2030, along with a clear definition of food waste and a food-waste hierarchy, as these are top priorities for Labour, which are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments and promoting an ambitious circular economy in Europe.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Labour MEPs are committed to leading a transition towards an economic model that reduces waste and promotes re-use, efficiency, durability and recycling. We cannot continue with the existing paradigm. Around 600 million tonnes of waste are just thrown away in Europe, when they could be reinvested in the economy. It is a matter of sustainability, efficiency and ethics.It is only by setting ambitious targets and goals and giving Member States the instruments and tools to change attitudes and practices, that there will be any serious shift towards a more sustainable, resource-efficient circular economy. Labour MEPs also support and voted for measures to halve food waste by 2030, along with a clear definition of food waste and a food waste hierarchy, as these are top priorities for Labour, and are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments and with promoting an ambitious circular economy in Europe.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Labour MEPs are committed to leading a transition towards an economic model that reduces waste and promotes re-use, efficiency, durability and recycling. We cannot continue with the existing paradigm. Around 600 million tonnes of waste are just thrown away in Europe, when they could be reinvested in the economy. It is a matter of sustainability, efficiency and ethics.It is only by setting ambitious targets and goals, and giving Member States the instruments and tools to change attitudes and practices, that there will be any serious shift towards a more sustainable, resource-efficient circular economy. Labour MEPs also support and voted for measures to halve food waste by 2030, along with a clear definition of food waste and a food waste hierarchy, as these are top priorities for Labour, and are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments and with promoting an ambitious circular economy in Europe.

2016/11/22

. ‒ In the midst of a current backlash on women’s rights, Labour MEPs have voted to ensure that gender equality remains a priority at European level. Action must be taken to recognise the full economic participation of women and to address the 15.5% pay gap and the 40% pension gap that women continue to be subject to.

2016/11/22

. ‒ In voting for this report, Labour MEPs call for strong protective measures in relation to access to goods and services as between men and women. As well as urging action to address the persisting discrimination against pregnant women and women with children, this report highlights the challenges in the digital sphere and sexual harassment.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Gender equality is a fundamental principle and political objective of the EU, which should be translated into policies and spending. In certain policy areas, gender equality as a principal is well applied. In some cases EU funding is the only support that is aimed directly at women, whilst EU funds are some of the only funds in the UK that explicitly require the involvement of, and an analysis of, the impact on women.This report is particularly significant as it recognises the value of gender funding, but identifies key weaknesses and areas for improvement. One improvement concerns the guarantee of gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting in all EU budget titles and in all phases of EU projects.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Further investment in digital literacy, strengthened transparency of algorithms and special attention to data used for law enforcement are needed in order to safeguard fundamental rights in the digital era. Labour MEPs voted in favour of this resolution which aims to address the fundamental-rights, discrimination and security challenges posed by big data analytics, and calls for specific guidelines, more transparency and algorithmic accountability.

2016/11/22

. ‒ In the EU, farm rabbits are typically caged and provided with an area of less than the size of two ordinary A4 sheets of paper per rabbit, with no opportunity to exercise and express their natural behaviour. Additionally, there is a high rate of disease and mortality amongst farm rabbits, owing to factors such as infectious diseases which occur with high frequency in the unsuitable conditions of the cage system.I am therefore glad to have supported this report asking the Commission to bring forward a legislative proposal on minimal standards for farm rabbits across Europe.

2016/11/22

. ‒ Labour MEPs voted in favour of the report as it is a key tool in the fight to prevent terrorism by responding to the phenomenon of aspiring or returning foreign fighters and lone actors or groups. It would do this by criminalising key preparatory acts, such as travelling abroad for terrorist purposes or terrorist recruitment. It also obliges Member States to exchange relevant information in relation to criminal proceedings on terrorist offences as soon as possible if the information can be used to prevent future attacks or assist other ongoing investigations or proceedings. In addition, it requires Member States to put in place emergency response systems in the event of an attack to ensure immediate help is given to victims and their families, for example through national websites and emergency support centres.

2016/11/22

Labour MEPs fully support increased security at the external borders of the Union carried out with respect for fundamental rights. It is essential that Member States make full use of measures such as the entry/exit system, which will enhance much—needed cooperation in the area of counter terrorism within the EU.

2016/11/22

It is in the interest of the UK that the euro area performs well. This is why I supported the report on the Eurozone’s budgetary capacity. The report highlights that after a successful start of the euro, the euro area has shown a lack of convergence, political cooperation and ownership. The various crises and global challenges require the euro area to make, as soon as possible, a qualitative leap of integration.

2016/11/22

I supported this report which calls on the Commission to draw up proposals for civil law rules regarding robotics, in light of the creation of increasingly autonomous robots and their economic and legal implications.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because the harmonised development of the European Open Science Cloud will bring numerous benefits to the development of the digital economy in the EU. The use of data is essential for the digitisation of European science and industry, the development of new technologies and the creation of jobs. Consequently, Labour MEPs support the development of open science and cloud computing.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report because the rapporteur observes that the key communication on projects should not be just about spending and bookkeeping, but also be targeted on European added value and visibility of successes of Europe. The report further insists that the communication on the ESI Funds should be modernised and intensified.

2016/11/22

The aviation sector is a strong driving force for economic growth, job creation and trade for the European Union, overall providing directly or indirectly between 4.8 million and 5.5 million jobs and contributing around EUR 110 billion to EU GDP. It is essential to ensure not only its sustainability but also reinforcement of decent terms and conditions for workers in the sector and the protection of passenger rights. This resolution is a good step forward towards a strategy for achieving these goals, and is to be welcomed.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. CETA is an ambitious trade agreement which reduces almost all tariffs across the board, offering significant opportunities for European businesses and their workers in a number of key sectors for employment. Also, Labour MEPs have been fighting the corner of EU citizens to secure unprecedented changes to the final text, safeguarding our high standards, public services, workers’ rights and global environmental protection. There is room for improvement, but we are confident that it can continue to be worked on. The S&D Group as a whole voted to approve the deal, as did the Parliamentary Labour Party in Westminster, which also felt that it was a good agreement.

2016/11/22

I supported this report which indicates the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee’s consent to proceed with the conclusion of a strategic partnership between the EU and Canada. It envisages mechanisms for joint political dialogue on common issues.

2016/11/22

The ETS is one of our key tools for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The S&D Group fought and managed to achieve in the end a balanced report which protects the climate, while being fair on the industry and promoting European jobs. This is why I supported this report.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, which underlines the need to boost investments, the need for a right policy mix, the need for responsible public finances in the EU with respect to the flexibility clause and a progressive reference to investments, including the need of a social dimension in structural developments.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report, which calls for a better balance between the economic and social dimensions in the European Semester and recalls the need to put emphasis on quality and inclusive employment for all.

2016/11/22

I supported this report which highlights the importance of including the social dimension and social aspects of the Single Market Pillar within the European Semester. We must ensure that economic recovery in Europe guarantees equality, fairness and inclusiveness for all.

2016/11/22

I supported this report, which highlights the main developments and challenges in the banking sector, such as non-performing loans and risks associated with sovereign debt. The report takes note of the need to maintain an SME—supporting factor and for the adoption of EU—wide standards to ensure banks have enough regulatory capital and loss—absorbing liabilities to make bail—in an effective instrument in resolution without causing financial instability and without needing public money.

2016/11/22

Expert groups play an important role in ensuring the smooth functioning of EU policies, but they must be properly monitored to ensure transparency and balanced composition. I welcome the manner in which the Commission engaged constructively with Parliament in drawing up its new rules for expert groups, and hope that the messages from this report, which I supported, can be taken into account when implementing the reforms.

2016/11/22

I support an effective and comprehensive European whistle-blower protection programme across the EU. It is important that whistle-blowers have the right channels to disclose their information on possible irregularities affecting the EU’s financial interests.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of the Report on the Annual Report on Competition Policy because it is through a strong European competition policy that we are able to ensure that consumers are getting the best possible deal, and that small and local businesses are competing on a level playing field.Being part of a market with 500 million consumers is one of the biggest benefits we get from being in the EU, and by developing and enforcing strong rules for fair competition we ensure more innovation, more opportunity, and ultimately a better deal for British citizens and consumers.

2016/11/22

My colleagues and I voted in favour of this report as it lays out a holistic strategy for advancing gender mental health and well-being. It addresses the risks posed to women’s health from gender inequalities in medical research and clinical trials. The report emphasises the link between socio-economic conditions and mental well-being, as well as the need for education and awareness—raising to break down the stigmas around mental health conditions. There is much to be gained from the EU and Member States bringing practitioners, policy-makers and experts around these issues, and the UK would benefit from participating in best-practice sharing regardless of Brexit.

2016/11/22

I voted in favour of this report. In this strong message to the Council, Labour MEPs are ensuring that key priorities for women’s economic empowerment are recognised by the EU Council when presenting the EU position at the UN Conference in New York. The report calls for universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and it highlights the importance of recognising women as economic agents whose participation in the labour market can stimulate economic growth. The report further calls for decent working conditions and the involvement of social partners and women organisations in decision making. It supports the establishment of an ILO Convention to address gender-based violence in the workplace.

2016/11/22

167 Written explanations of Catherine STIHLER

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