Activities of Vicky FORD related to 2014/2059(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2014 priorities
Amendments (16)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to Article 125 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the shift in the 2014 country- specific recommendations to strengthening growth and employment, but calls for more determined efforts to guide and coordinatefor structural reforms of national and EU policies sto as to completehelp strengthen the Single Market andin order to reap its potential to boost growth and create jobs; highlights, in this regard, the need to maintain momentum on the Single Market policies priorities identified in the areas of services, networks and the digital economy;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Welcomes steps taken so far by Member States to enhance the Points of Single Contact and improve the functioning of the service sector, but shares the Commission's concerns that further improvements could be made to reduce barriers and enhance competition in the areas of services, including financial services;
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Supports the Commission's analysis calling for the 'economic needs test' to be abolished due to the restrictions it places on businesses wishing to operate in other Member States;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Calls for stronger efforts to promote the Single Market tools available to businesses and citizens, including the Points of Single Contact, so that they are better aware of the available opportunities to generate growth and jobs in the Single Market;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Outlines the potential of the manufacturing sector in the Single Market; in this regard, stresses the importance of reducing barriers for the production, distribution and procurement of industrial products in manufacturing;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Supports the Commission's work on regulated professions but considers it necessary to take more action against restrictions placed at a national level especially those which affect the access to regulated professions to support jobs, growth and mobility of qualified professionals in the Single Market; also calls for increased monitoring of barriers in the Single Market for goods;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the European Semester process needs to be inclusive, and that political priorities also have to be discussed outside of government circles, in order to spread national ownership and effectively implement both economic governance and Single Market governance; in this regard, calls for the support of the Commission in assisting Member States with the implementation of complex Single Market legislation;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the European Semester process needs to be inclusive, and that political priorities also have to be discussed outside of government circles, in order to spread national ownership and effectively implement both economic governance and Single Market governance; acknowledges that the dialogue with national parliaments and civil society plays an essential role in restoring confidence in the Single Market;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that a strong injecdequate allocation of EU funding is fundamentalnecessary in order to stimulate the real economy and to foster recovery in all Member States; supports the Commission’s recommendation to give priority to public investment in infrastructure, research, innovation and human capitalenhancing access to finance for SME's including start-ups in the digital environment, investment in infrastructure, research, innovation and human capital and reducing barriers and costs for businesses operating in the Single Market, which should enhance the competitiveness of the EU;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Urges the Commission to take additional measures to improve access to finance for SMEs, as well as to ensure improvement of business environment, simplify procedures and reduce administrative burdens on businesses in the Single Market;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Shares the Commission’s concerns about the increasing number of multinational companies that are using corporate tax strategies to reduce or evade their global tax burden by taking advantage of mismatches between tax systems; stresses that better and stronger tax coordination is needed in order to ensure a level playing field and to avoid unfair competition and detrimental distortions within the Single Marketax; calls therefore for greater emphasis on good tax governance in both the private and public sector in the EU;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Considers that there is a need to create, on the basis of a thorough analysis, an EU-wide tax information system serving not to harmonise the different national tax structures, but to facilitate their coordination in a continuous and transparent manner, keeping track of the cuts and increases made by Member States; notes that for the functioning of such a system, the framework of the European Semester would be a good basis, since – in tandem with other specific macroeconomic measures – it could keep good record of the various tax policies of the different Member States, taking fully into account the general economic forecast as well as the fundamentals and future perspectives of the Member States concerned and common European objectives; in light of this, encourages the Commission and the Member States to integrate a strategy aimed at reducing the tax gap into the European Semester;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the economic crisis has greatly worsened the living conditions of many European citizens and has led to a sharp increase in levels of inequality; points out that universal access to high- quality affordable public services is key to fostering economic growth while guaranteewhilst also facilitating social cohesion and allowing for more resilient economies and societies;
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the economic crisis has greatly worsened the living conditions of many European citizens and has led to a sharp increase in levels of inequality; points out that universal access to high- qualitycitizens and businesses having access to efficient public services is key to fostering economic growth while guaranteeing social cohesion and allowing for more resilient economies and societies;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that Member States have to step up theirshould make an efforts to modernise their public administrations, by completing reforms of their respective Public Administration laws and codes of conduct for public servants, providing more and better digital services for citizens and businesses, with an aim of reducing costs and enhancing efficiency; highlights that the properfull and quick implementation of EU public procurement and concessions legislation would provide a great opportunity to enhance innovation, access for SMEs and to modernise public administration, at both government and local levels, by enhancing the quality and effectiveness of public spending and investment.