“It is unacceptable as a social solution to the crisis that the Europe 2020 strategy, inclusive growth and the EU poverty reduction target are increasingly subordinate to the dominant policy driver of stabilizing the Euro by driving down deficits and debt, primarily through socially-harmful fiscal consolidation which is visibly generating more poverty, exclusion and inequality”, said Ludo Horemans, President of EAPN.
EAPN highlighted in its letter the result of the recent Eurobarometer Survey (28 November) which gives a damning picture of what EU citizens think about EU actions including the substantial fall in the number of people who think the EU has a positive impact (78-62% in 2009, now 67-48%).
While EAPN recognises the vital relevance of accessible and quality public services, Fintan Farrell Director of EAPN, said “Access to public services must go hand in hand with investing in social protection systems and raising minimum income levels as key stimulus measures, defending social rights and positively impacting on growth, employment and inclusion”.
The letter from EAPN outlines Key Messages and actions under the following 4 headings
- Solidarity first and one-speed Social Europe
- Urgently defend a social and democratic EU
- Make Europe 2020 the overarching strategy
- Tackle the social impact of the crisis and increasing levels of poverty, inequality and social exclusion with concrete actions: integrated active inclusion, social investment and a New Deal promoting multidimensional solutions for all groups
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See:
EAPN’s letter to Prime Ministers (also in German) and EAPN analysis of the National Reform Programmes
For further information, contact Fintan Farrell (Director), fintan.farrell@eapn.eu, Sian Jones Policy coordinator sian.jones@eapn.eu and Nellie Epinat Nellie.epinat@eapn.eu Tél: +32 474 797934 (mobile) +32 2 229.58.50 – fax. +32 2 226 58 69 –E-mail: team@eapn.eu