‘Think small first’, UK minister tells MEPs

18 September 2013

The UK’s Work and Pensions Minister, Mark Hoban, has told MEPs that the EU should « think small first » in its efforts to boost economic growth.

Giving evidence to the Employment Committee on 18 September 2013 as part of an inquiry on creating a « business friendly » environment, he said the EU should refrain from « disproportionate or ill thought through burden ».

He said that otherwise « the people who suffer will be the people without work », and praised the recent fall in unemployment in the UK.

But the committee chair, French socialist Pervenche Bérès, criticised the use of zero hour contracts in the UK, saying that they lacked proper protection for workers.

Mr Hoban insisted the increase in jobs in the UK was down to « full-time permanent employees, using definitions provided by the International Labour Organisation », but said that zero hours contracts « are sometimes the best policies both for businesses and workers ».

The hearing ties in with a report being developed by the committee on identifying excessive burdens and red tape that could hinder the growth of small business.

The report’s author, British Conservative MEP Anthea McIntyre, said there were growing concerns about skills shortages and skills mismatches.

She warned that by 2020 the majority of jobs will require medium or high qualifications.

MEPs also heard from Jozef Niemiec, the Secretary-General of the European Trade Union Confederation.

He said that despite falls in unemployment in some countries, « workers are not optimistic » and said that the EU’s response to the crisis was « running counter to the objectives of promoting growth ».

He urged « greater investment in human beings » and called for more investment in public services.