Labour MEPs welcomed the European Commission’s Capital Markets Union (CMU) action plan today, but said it will be judged on its ability to make the European economy less dependent of bank financing and improve sustainable lending, particularly towards SMEs. The CMU action plan aims to create more opportunities for investors;… read more →
A Labour MEP told the European Parliament today that the US airstrike on an Afghan hospital was a potential breach of international law and must be investigated independently. Twenty two civilians, including 12 medical staff and 10 patients were killed in the attack by a US gunship on a Médecins… read more →
Yesterday in Strasbourg, Labour MEPs, along with their European colleagues, marked World Day for Decent Work (WDDW) by calling for an end to the scourge of zero-hour contracts. As Labour MEPs we have campaigned against zero hour contracts since its practice first became common. WDDW has been organised since 2008… read more →
North West Labour MEP Theresa Griffin is supporting today’s World Day for Decent Work by calling on the EU to stop dithering and finally take action on zero-hours contracts. In recent weeks, Labour MEPs have been leading efforts in the European Parliament to pressure the European Commission on what new… read more →
Labour MEPs today said diplomatic engagement with Iran and Russia will be the key to ending the war in Syria. Richard Howitt MEP, Labour’s European Parliament spokesperson on foreign affairs, told MEPs: “Everyone involved in the Iran talks says that Russia undertook a constructive role, in spite of the disagreement… read more →
Labour MEPs today voted for a report that is part of a campaign to extend geographical protection to authentic, original non-agricultural products. Mary Honeyball MEP, Labour’s European spokesperson on legal affairs, told MEPs: “This campaign is great news for consumers and industries that are producing authentic local goods, and will… read more →
A Labour MEP today warned against any attempts to water down rules on emissions in the wake of the VW scandal. Seb Dance MEP, Labour’s European spokesperson on the environment, told MEPs: “We now know that up to half the emissions savings we thought we had achieved from cars have… read more →
Labour MEPs today called on the European Commission and national governments to ensure the refugee relocation mechanism and “hot spots” are fully implemented without delay. The European Parliament debated the humanitarian situation of refugees within the EU and neighbouring countries with Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Luxembourg’s minister Nicolas… read more →
Labour MEPs today demanded that the government take action to ensure a viable future for steel on Teesside using all tools at its disposal – there can be no more excuses for inaction. Paul Brannen MEP, Labour MEP for North-East England, told the European Parliament today: “On the 18th September… read more →
When the VW emissions scandal began to unfold last week, I said the problem might well end up being far wider than the 11 million vehicles we had been told about; sadly, this has turned out to be the case, writes Seb Dance MEP. As the scandal gathers pace, many… read more →