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Last November, the Social Protection Committee (SPC) asked us again to contribute to its next Annual Report “The face of social Europe in 2012 and the way ahead”, that will come out in the next few weeks. The key messages and main policy conclusions of the report will be sent to the EPSCO Council in February 2013.

In our contribution, we look at the threats to social cohesion in Europe. We call on the EU and member states to put social considerations on an equal footing with fiscal and economic priorities in all components of EU governance and of the European Semester.

Poverty has drastically increased to almost 120 million people and is deepening in many member states. Next to this, inequality is also growing because of policies implemented over more than 20 years. This has contributed to deeper social and wealth disparities and to weaker social cohesion. These inequalities concern among others wealth and income, education, health, access to housing and gender.
To respond to the deteriorating and preoccupying social situation in Europe, we propose to support an inclusive growth with quality jobs, adequate social protection systems and accessible public services. Financed by fairer distribution/tax systems and supported by EU funds, poverty reduction and social inclusion can be ensured by taking the following actions:

To respond to the deteriorating and preoccupying social situation in Europe, we propose a number of actions to be taken to support an inclusive growth with quality jobs, adequate social protection systems and accessible public services, while ensuring poverty reduction and social inclusion:

1. Develop a true integrated poverty strategy at EU and national level

2. Invest in services of general interest and strengthen social protection

3. Mainstream social targets in all other policies and protect social budgets when developing policies to tackle macro-economic imbalances

4. Look into and develop alternative sources of financing and funding for social policies

5. Ensure a wide inclusive and democratic process to decide upon economic and social priorities

You can read our full contribution here.