News Releases
Showing: September 2008
Here you can find an archive of all the news items that have been on this website as well as any comments, polls or surveys.
National governments, industry and consumers to benefit from telecoms package
Posted,9/26/2008 11:00:00 AM
MEPs pass telecoms reforms
Brown hands immigration policy to the EU
Posted,9/25/2008 3:00:00 PM
Ministers should cooperate, but one-size-fits-all approach would be bad for Britain
The EU and India must unite over common challenges
Posted,9/25/2008 11:00:00 AM
The EU and India must unite over common challenges
EU reintroduces plans for compulsory vehicle daytime running lights
Posted,9/25/2008 11:00:00 AM
EU reintroduces plans for compulsory vehicle daytime running lights
Phone and internet consumers to get greater choice and more clarity
Posted,9/24/2008 3:00:00 PM
MEPs pass EU Telecoms package
Data and SMS roaming: Conservatives regret need for further EU intervention
Posted,9/24/2008 1:00:00 PM
But consumer must be paramount Brussels, 23rd September 2008 -- Conservatives have expressed regret that the success of the EU's cap on voice roaming charges has not encouraged the industry to bring down prices on data and text message roaming also, Giles Chichester MEP, Conservative industry spokesman in the European Parliament, said today. The European Commission is expected to announce that the price of texting will fall by up to 60 percent to a maximum rate of 11 Euro cents per message and that the wholesale price for roamed data will be capped at one Euro per megabyte. She is also expected to demand mandatory billing by the second, rather than minute, after the first 31 seconds. Mr Chichester said: "We had hoped the previous price cap would make the industry see the light and take action to avoid further intervention from the EU. More regulation in this field should be the last resort, and the commission must make the case for the necessity of extending the limit. "Before the voice roaming cap came into effect, too many consumers were suffering from nasty surprises when they returned home from a holiday. Now too many people are receiving a shock if they access data abroad, and these prices must be brought down. "Ideally we would like the industry to act itself to cut prices, but if it fails, the EU should be prepared to act in the interests of consumers."
European maritime safety in the doldrums
Posted,9/24/2008 11:00:00 AM
European maritime safety in the doldrums
Tribute to Paul Howell, former Conservative MEP
Posted,9/23/2008 6:00:00 PM
Brussels, 23rd September 2008 -- Commenting on the sad death of former Conservative MEP Paul Howell in an air crash in Mozambique, Conservative leader in the European Parliament, Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP, said: "We are terribly sad to hear this tragic news, and our thoughts go out to Mr Howell's family." Robert Sturdy, Conservative MEP for the Eastern region, who served closely alongside Mr Howell, said: "He was a great personal help to me when I was a candidate. He supported me and kept me informed of legislation going through the parliament, and that created a friendship. "I am deeply saddened by his death and my heart goes out to his family. As I have travelled around Norfolk I have heard nothing but great comments about him. "He lived life to the full and was a great inspiration to many causes." Edward McMillan-Scott MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament and former colleague, said: "I am so sad for his family and all who knew him. He was a chum - unpredictable, volatile and completely loyal. "His death in an aircraft accident is in awful symmetry with the 1981 air crash which so affected his subsequent life."
Heyday case: People who choose to work longer should have the opportunity
Posted,9/23/2008 3:00:00 PM
Brussels, 23rd September 2008 -- Britain needs a change in culture and practices to ensure people who want to work beyond retirement age should have better opportunities, Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP, Conservative leader and employment spokesman in Brussels, said today. Age equality campaigners suffered a setback this morning in their battle at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to banish the compulsory retirement age in the UK. The ECJ's top adviser - the Advocate General - has said that compelling people to stop working at 65 without compensation does not breach EU equality requirements.The Advocate General's opinion is not binding on the court, although it is upheld in around 80 percent of cases. Mr Bushill-Matthews said: "Britain needs a fundamental change in culture and practices to ensure that if people want to go on working past retirement, they can. "With Britain's demographic crisis and bulging pensions costs, the government should do everything in its power to encourage people to go on working if they are willing and able to do so. Many people over 65 already make a significant contribution to the economy, and many more would wish to do so. It is folly to force workers to hang up their boots against their wishes."
Hedge funds: smarter regulation, not over-regulation needed
Posted,9/23/2008 3:00:00 PM
Financial services sector still crucial to Britain's economy Brussels, 23rd September 2008 -- The financial services sector is crucial to small businesses and jobs across the UK, and while we must ensure full transparency and openness, a one-size-fits-all knee-jerk reaction at the European level should be resisted, John Purvis MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs committee, said today. The European Parliament has today passed a report authored by former socialist Prime Minister of Denmark, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen MEP, which had initially called for heavy regulation on hedge funds and private equity firms. However, amendments tabled by centre-right MEPs have signalled the parliament's support for ensuring regulation is sufficient, but continues to attract inward investment. Mr Purvis said: "The financial services industry is crucial for big and small businesses, and countless jobs in Britain. An overzealous knee-jerk reaction in Europe is futile in a global economy. "The response from Europe should be measured and international. We should accept that there needs to be a greater level of openness and transparency from hedge funds but the European Parliament is right to avoid rushing into overzealous legislation."