EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
Cebr: A distinctly worse Eurozone outlook is likely, according to the latest global forecasts by Cebr, the economics consultancy. The think tank now forecasts that the Eurozone recession will continue through 2013 and only marginal growth is likely for 2014.
Although UK growth is likely to be held back by the weakness in its Continental trading partners, UK GDP growth for 2013 & 2014 is likely to be faster in each year than in any of the major European economies.
Although UK growth is likely to be held back by the weakness in its Continental trading partners, UK GDP growth for 2013 & 2014 is likely to be faster in each year than in any of the major European economies.
EU News: The European Commission has decided to add another 120 MHz to the radio spectrum portfolio for 4G technologies, such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), around the 2 GHz band. This band is currently solely used for UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) wireless communications, known as 3G networks.
The Decision makes it mandatory for Member States to open the relevant spectrum by 30 June 2014 at the latest, and lays down harmonised technical conditions to allow coexistence between different technologies. On this basis the EU will enjoy up to twice the amount of spectrum for high speed wireless broadband as in the United States, namely around 1000 MHz.
CLG: Business entrepreneurs emerging from West Midlands universities will continue to be able to access vital support to get a new business venture off the ground, with the announcement of an additional £4m investment to support the programme over the next 3 years.
Following on from the success of the SPEED WM programme, phase 2 called SPEED Plus will provide 600 graduates and students with the opportunity to access tailored advice & support focussed on how to get a business idea off the ground.
WWF: Sustainable marine industries, prosperous coastal communities and a healthy marine environment for generations to come can be achieved for the Celtic Sea and other marine areas if new recommendations are followed, says a new report from the PISCES Group.
The report, co-funded by the European Commission and WWF-UK is the result of a unique 3 year collaboration between the marine sectors of England, Wales, France and Ireland that share the Celtic Sea.
EU News: The European Commission has launched an anti-subsidy (‘countervailing duty’) investigation into imports of solar panels and their key components (i.e. solar cells and solar wafers) originating in China. An anti-dumping investigation concerning the same product was initiated on 6 September 2012 and is on-going (see MEMO 12/647).
CH: Britain's somewhat single-minded concern for discipline & restraint has not allowed it to draw full political benefit from the EU budget, either on its targets or on its control, writes James Spence in the November issue of Chatham House’s International Affairs. Rather than showing a consistent interest in promoting certain policy sectors, Britain has historically argued primarily for constraint & restraint, argues Spence.
Elsewhere, Julie Smith, a senior lecturer at the University of Cambridge, says that over the past 4 decades the effect of EU membership on Britain's political parties has been one of 'division and fragmentation'. 'Incapable of shaping the agenda as effectively... the parties have rendered the EU even less attractive to a sceptical public and the press.'
The role played by the media in shaping opinion on European matters is examined in an article by international relations scholar Oliver Daddow. He alights on the 'Murdoch effect', a phenomenon which, by convincing politicians they should fear both the EU and the press, has altered the terms of the debate across the political spectrum.
EU News: In a strategic Communication adopted recently, the Commission examines how the implementation & development of the common visa policy could help growth in the EU by facilitating travel opportunities for third country nationals willing to visit the EU.
EU News: The European Commission took an important step last week towards long-term climate objectives by presenting a proposal to significantly reduce emissions of fluorinated gases (F-gases).
Emissions of F-gases, which have a warming effect up to 23,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, have risen by 60% since 1990, while all other greenhouse gases have been reduced. The proposed Regulation aims to reduce F-gas emissions by two-thirds of today's levels by 2030.
Emissions of F-gases, which have a warming effect up to 23,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, have risen by 60% since 1990, while all other greenhouse gases have been reduced. The proposed Regulation aims to reduce F-gas emissions by two-thirds of today's levels by 2030.
It also bans the use of F-gases in some new equipment, such as household fridges, where viable more climate-friendly alternatives are readily available.
ScotGov: The Scottish Government has submitted proposals to the EU that include plans for Europe’s largest marine area of nature conservation in waters west of Scotland. The designation of Hatton Bank as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), located approximately 500 km west of Lewis, would cover an area of 15,694 square kilometres – more than 10 times the size of Fife.
Hatton Bank would form part of a package of five new SACs in offshore waters to the west & north of Scotland. The new sites would collectively cover an area larger than the entire Highlands region and contribute to the Marine Protected Areas network, an EU requirement under the Habitats Directive.
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