Europe
MEPs urge the EU to ensure its own security
Provide more arms and ammunitions to Ukraine Preparatory actions must be “close to those of wartime” Simplify decision-making for defence issues MEPs welcome ReArm plan, ask for innovative funding solutions The EU faces a turning point and...
20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement: the birth of a new era
Brussels - On 24 April, EU and Member States representatives, and young people who were born in 2004, celebrated 20 years of EU enlargement. President von der Leyen highlighted the many benefits that EU membership brought...
Poverty in Britain is firmly linked to the country’s mountain of private wealth – Labour must address this growing inequality
Stewart Lansley, University of Bristol - Labour’s shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has said that a Labour government would not raises taxes on wealth, capital gains or higher incomes. She does not, she says, see “the way to prosperity as being through taxation.” Britain is asset rich. National wealth – a mix of property, business, financial and state assets – stands at almost seven times the size of the economy. That is double the level of the 1970s. This has not come about as a result of investment and productivity growth. Instead, much of this private-wealth mountain is unearned – the product of windfall gains, resulting from state-driven asset inflation, the mass...
A stronger voice for workers in EU-based multinational companies
Workers will be better represented in EU-based multinational companies thanks to new rules for the so-called European Works Councils (EWCs). These Councils ensure that employees are involved...
Birmingham’s bankruptcy is only the tip of the iceberg – local authorities across England are at risk
Yseult Marique, University of Essex and Eugenio Vaccari, Royal Holloway University of London - The city of Birmingham has issued what is known as a section 114 notice. This signals that the council is unable to balance its budget,...
Improving the quality of traineeships in the EU
Trainees all over the EU will benefit from better quality traineeships thanks to new Commission proposals. They will improve and enforce working conditions for trainees, and ensure everyone can do a traineeship regardless of their socio-economic background or disability, by: improving learning content ensuring fair pay helping trainees claim their labour rights recommending access to adequate social protection combatting regular jobs disguised as traineeships creating channels to report malpractice and poor working conditions promoting equal access to traineeship opportunities allowing for hybrid and remote working offering career guidance and mentorship covering all types of traineeships The EU's current framework for traineeships already sets out 21 quality principles to ensure high-quality learning and working conditions. These include clear vacancy notices, written traineeship agreements, clearly defined learning objectives, and transparent information on remuneration...
Canada, the largest importer of EU lemon outside of Europe
Madrid (ots) - The European Union is the world's leading exporter of fresh lemons, with 127,785 tons marketed outside its borders at the close of the 2021/2022 season "Canada demands quality and sustainable products from us at all levels," explains José...
Rightward Shift in European Politics: The Fear of Cultural Identity
Europe is at a political crossroads. In recent years, many countries across the continent have experienced a rightward shift in their politics. This trend is often driven by a deep-seated fear among many...
France: Mass protests against higher retirement age
By Lea Fauth - France’s President Emmanuel Macron wants to raise the retirement age by two years. However, 72 percent of French people are against the pension reform—and the trend is rising. Since...
“Creating Prosperity Together”: How the social economy model saved the English city of Preston
For a long time, Preston was the centre of industry in England. But when the city’s big companies decided...
