UK National Reform Programme
NRP Stakeholder Meeting, Lancaster House: Monday 24 July 2006
Opening
The Chair welcomed stakeholders to the meeting. She explained that the purpose of the event was to share experience in implementing and delivering policy, and their views on how to share that experience more widely in the EU, and invited participants to give concrete examples where possible. She then introduced Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister for Europe, who addressed the seminar.
Following Mr Hoon’s speech, three points were raised:
- The importance of local government in delivering the Lisbon goals;
- The importance of the knowledge economy, and how we measure the UK’s success in that area; and
- How can stakeholders influence policy in the development of the 2007-13 European Social Fund programme.
First discussion session
The Chair introduced the panel for the discussion which included representatives from HM Treasury, Department for Trade & Industry (DTI) and Department for Work & Pensions (DWP).
Main points raised were:
- Need to improve education and skills levels in order to address the challenge from Asia. Need also to address infrastructure to cope with eg air travel liberalisation. R&D framework programme procedures too complex to be attractive to many businesses. BCC has 100,000 members including many training providers, so a wide network for exchanging information - would welcome suggestions in using this network to contribute effectively to delivering Lisbon targets.
- Local authorities integral to delivery of Lisbon. Wakefield supporting new businesses through “incubation centres”. Also setting up learning centres especially to tackle poor literacy and numeracy skills. Quoted example of a sewing class set up for Asian women, which was a non-threatening environment, but a condition of attendance was improving English language skills. The women therefore acquired useful labour market and English language skills.
- Good equal opportunity policies need to challenge racial stereotypes. Research had shown that among black ethnic minority women, many were better qualified than their peers. There were different issues for different generations; everyone should have the chance to contribute to society, or individuals’ talents were wasted. UK needs to ensure policies are in place to ensure that those with high levels of education can make the most of their skills.
- Government dialogue with industry and with stakeholders is already in place. UK well placed to adapt to global changes because of its flexibility. There are contradictions in EU legislation; sometimes the Commission misses the big picture, and lacks a coherent approach.
- The Regional Development Agencies’ (RDA) agenda is perfectly attuned to the Lisbon agenda. RDAs have invested heavily in new technology and knowledge based sectors. They play an important part in increasing the labour market and business growth. RDA keen to contribute to delivering Lisbon and asked for more explicit recognition of their role in the Lisbon process and more consultation on the NRP. They also asked that European Social Fund (ESF) priorities be more aligned with Regional priorities.
- NRP too much a self-congratulatory exercise. Would like to see the bottom-up consultation process used for the National Strategy Report on Social Inclusion and Protection (also known as NAP) replicated for the NRP. There should be emphasis on policies for: work-life balance; tackling in-work poverty; creating sustainable jobs and avoiding labour market segmentation; flexibility and security; and widening participation.
- Need to align strategies on Lisbon and sustainable development.
- St Mungo’s welcomed event as sometimes difficult for smaller stakeholders to have their voice heard. Stressed difficulties in getting ESF funding to engage people on the margins of the labour market at a basic access level, to start them on the route to Level 2 skills, rather than getting there directly.
- Under Agenda 2000, ESF focus was on tackling exclusion, and there was support for smaller grassroots projects. Concerned that this was being lost, and there were difficulties with co-financing. Jobcentreplus working effectively at local level but need to see this replicated as widely as possible.
- RSPB have a membership of over a million and directly employ 1,600+ people, as well as reserves supporting 1,000+ related community jobs. Makes an important contribution to delivering Lisbon. Nature reserves contribute to improved health and wellbeing, thus reducing health costs; and children’s educational activities improve confidence and learning skills. Concerned that Lisbon sometimes used to water down environmental commitments.
- Planning plays an important part in sustainable growth and competitiveness of the economy. Present planning system based on a regional approach, but a national approach could support larger infrastructure projects to promote competitiveness.
- Local government works within the Committee of the Regions in areas where it can play a part. There is still too much red tape. UK should cut red tape and sets up a streamlined process that serves as an example to the rest of Europe.
- Chemicals Industry Association first in EU to sign a formal social dialogue, which contributed to an opportunity to influence the Commission. Would prefer more political leadership. Commission investing in better regulation – social partners should be encouraged to promote it.
Second discussion session
Main points raised were:
- In the ESF context, JC+ has become very flexible and the voluntary and community sector is very engaged. For the future programme, matched funding should allow programmes to achieve outcomes appropriate to the locality. ESF red tape is still complex, but it should ensure that questions on environmental impact cannot be avoided. Government needs to be clearer on what outcomes are sought.
- There is a need to tailor language carefully in the UK about EU work because of Eurosceptic views, and high quality information exchange should be available to educate the public and to eradicate this problem. TUC believe that regulation in the UK is not as intensive as suggested by other stakeholders. They emphasised that it is wise to have regulation in place to protect the rights and safety of the public. Trade unions make a significant contribution to skills development, and are working to ensure there are learning and development reps in workplaces, to support and encourage L&D.
- Opportunity Now, the employers organisation to promote inclusiveness for women, would be happy to facilitate meetings between its members and Government. They represent a large number of employers and could organise seminars and workshops.
- ICT is key to Lisbon. All development of new policies should be evidence-based. Eurostat is supporting a year-old project to measure progress in the knowledge-based economy. There is a market failure in investment in skills in the UK is very low and, again, this affects productivity and our ability to compete with emerging economies.
- Working with EU partners can be hampered by language difficulties, particularly if more than two countries are involved.
- Local councils contribute a gread deal to Lisbon, and the Local Government Association had produced a brochure on “Localising Lisbon”. Some would like to see the NAP consultation model replicated in the Lisbon process.
- There should be greater transparency in the Lisbon process. It would be useful to have geographically based networks, as most organisations already have networks in Brussels. Efforts to improve language skills in the UK should be intensified.
- Cross-border networks need time and experience. Dissemination on Lisbon should be linked into Higher Education, although the UK was already ahead of the game on this. Entrepreneurship should also be highlighted in HE, and stronger links encouraged between HE institutions, SMEs and public authorities.
The European Commission Office in London, welcomed the event and said the Commission was keen to try to help make links between people.
Suggestions for further action:
- Use the Mutual Learning Process to link up partners who can share experience; also support bi- and multilateral exchanges for stakeholders
- Create a national forum for the knowledge economy industries
- Use website with resources for social and cultural exchanges
- Most experienced bodies do cross-border activity – encourage them to act as mentors
Panel Responses
DTI said that all EU member states had explicitly recognised that sustainable development was “inextricably linked” to the Lisbon process. They noted that UK is strong in knowledge based industries and innovation. Finally, they asked stakeholders for continuous feedback to the consultation process via the departmental website.
Treasury thanked all stakeholders for their participation and undertook to look into how future events should be planned.
DWP confirmed evidence-based policy making is well established in the UK. They undertook to explore options for involving stakeholders in the mutual learning programme or the peer review process. They also promised to relay questions on the ESF to experts and seek responses.
The chair summed up with the following comments:
- Close correlation between RDAs, LGAs and NGOs important in delivering desired results;
- Useful to hear that better regulation and getting the balance right rather than deregulation;
- Lessons learned in preparation of the meeting will prove useful for future meetings;