A stronger economy, social justice and jobs

14. Proposal: Stronger social policies

Objective: We propose to reduce inequalities, fight social exclusion and tackle poverty. We need to put in place a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy that could include, among other, a reinforced Child Guarantee and Youth Guarantee, the introduction of minimum wages, a common EU framework for minimum income schemes and decent social housing. We need to ensure the full implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, including its relevant headline targets for 2030, at EU, national, regional and local level in the area of “social protection and inclusion” with due regard for respective competences and the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and to include a Social Progress Protocol in the Treaties. This objective could be achieved by:

Measure 14(1) - Reinforcing EU Competences in Social Policies *
14.1) Reinforcing the competences of the EU in social policies and proposing legislation to promote social policies and ensure equality of rights, including health, harmonised for the entire EU, which take into consideration agreed regulations and the minimum requirements throughout the territory. (ECP 19 & 21) The EU could support and complement the policies of Members State by among others proposing a common framework for minimum incomes to ensure that nobody is left behind; These actions should be carried in the framework of the full implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan; (discussions)

* This measure has been identified as needing Treaty change for full implementation.
Measure 14(2) - Not Compromising on Welfare Rights

14.2) Not compromising on welfare rights (public health, public education, labour policies); (IT4.a.1)

There are currently no implementing initiatives that address this particular CoFE measure.
Measure 14(3) - Promoting Research in Social Matters & Health
14.3) Promoting research in social matters and health in the EU, following priority lines that are considered to be of public interest and agreed on by the member countries, and providing the appropriate funding. This could be achieved in part by reinforcing collaboration across fields of expertise, across countries, centres of studies (universities, etc.); (ECP 20)
- European Partnerships in health
Measure 14(4) - Access to Medical Services for Persons Below 16 Across EU *

14.4) Granting access to medical services to all persons below 16 years old across the EU in case these services are not available in the national context; (discussions)

* This measure has been identified as needing Treaty change for full implementation.

There are currently no implementing initiatives that address this particular CoFE measure.
Measure 14(5) - Ensuring Targeted Access to Social Housing *

14.5) Ensuring that the EU, together with social partners and national governments, supports targeted access to decent social housing for citizens, according to their specific needs financial effort should be shared among private funders, landlords, housing beneficiaries, Member State governments at central and local levels, and the European Union.

* This measure has been identified as needing Treaty change for full implementation.

There are currently no implementing initiatives that address this particular CoFE measure.