Committee News Release
CEU 002/2003
Tuesday 14 October 2003
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE CALLS FOR EVIDENCE ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS
The Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee has today called for evidence on UK government proposals to ‘repatriate’ EU regional development funds (European Structural Funds).
The structural funds aim to tackle European regional disparities, boost economic growth, reduce unemployment and address anomalies in the labour market. Over the period 2000-2006, Scotland is set to receive just over £1bn in structural funds, which is around 11% of all such funding across the UK.
In early December 2003, the European Commission will set out its plans on how it believes the new funding regime from 2006 should work. This will contain details on how the previously less developed areas like Scotland ought to be funded and also how much money Scotland can expect to receive from the EC from 2006.
The UK government published their own proposals for this fund in March 2003. In these proposals, the government plans to ‘guarantee’ to match anything Scotland would have got, whilst allowing the Executive to have more flexibility about how it spends this money.
The key questions for the Committee are:
- What is the likely financial result for Scotland under the different proposals?
- What are the time frame ‘guarantees’ available under each proposal?
- What procedures are there to ensure the money given to the Executive gets spent on regional development?
- What would be the effect of the different proposals on ‘European solidarity’?
- Which proposal is more flexible and efficient?
Committee Convener, Richard Lochhead, said:
“Some people mistakenly think that the work of the European Committee is like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. This inquiry is, in fact, more typical of our work – actively seeking to get information and opinions on a matter of real significance to life in Scotland and making sure that our views are heard at all levels of administration right at the start of the process.
“There is substantial interest in Scotland on the ramifications of the different approaches being discussed by the EC and the UK Government. Our Committee is keen to find out what the people who deliver projects on the ground in Scotland think about the different proposals. We will also be looking to hear from Ministers - both Scottish and UK – European officials, Scottish local authorities and others involved in the administration of these EU funds.”
Background
Click here for further details on the call for evidence.
Link to to European Commission Directorate General for Regional Policy: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/regional_policy/index_en.htm
Link to UK Government consultation: http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/closed.htm#awaiting
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