On 12 June, MEPs are expected to approve the architecture of the new EU asylum policy, which lays down common procedures and deadlines for handling applications, ensures a basic set of rights for asylum seekers from the moment they enter the EU and bans transfers of asylum applicants to member states unable to ensure decent living conditions for them.

On 24 January 2013 the Internal Market Committee adopted its position on draft rules setting out minimum EU requirements for the award by public authorities of "concession" contracts to procure works or services from private suppliers. These contracts are typically high-value, complex and long-term. These Q&A deal with certain aspects of the committee text, on which informal negotiations are now under way with the Council headed by the Irish Presidency and the European Commission.

The growing globalisation of data flows, via social networks, cloud computing, search engines, location-based services, etc, arguably increases the risk that people could lose control of their own data. MEPs are debating a major overhaul of current EU data protection rules which aims to put people in control of their personal data and to build trust both in social media and in online shopping and communication in general.