Preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020: Parliament's input ahead of the Commission's proposal (A8-0224/2016 - Jan Olbrycht, Isabelle Thomas)
Therese Comodini Cachia (PPE), in writing. ‒ While the priorities of the Union remain similar to those at the time of adoption, circumstances evolve and the EU will continue to face in the coming years challenges which were not foreseen when an MFF is approved. This therefore requires financial tweaks along the way on the portion of the EU budget dedicated to sectoral priorities.
I regret however to point out that research and innovation has often been the first to be affected by any cuts in the budget. In reality, research and innovation programmes generate EU added value, which underlines the key role of those programmes in supporting competitiveness and, thus, in assuring future growth and the long-term prosperity of the Union.
Finally, it is important to point out that resources of the ESF and the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived are not sufficient to address the rise of inequality and poverty. These people are suffering the worst consequences of the economic crisis on the labour market which in practice led to exclusion of several young people from the labour market. There is scope therefore to increase, as necessary, the ESF allocation in the cohesion policy budget as part of the revision of the MFF.