Employment goals as part of the Europe 2020 strategy

2.6.2015

Question for written answer E-008920-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Hugues Bayet (S&D) , Maria Arena (S&D)

On 7 May 2015, Eurostat announced that for the first time since the financial, economic and social crisis of 2008 the employment level in the EU for people between the ages of 20 and 64 had increased, from 68.4% in 2013 to 69.2% in 2014. That figure is still lower than before the crisis, however, when it was 70.3%. While some Member States (Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Denmark) have achieved the figure of 75% set by the EU as a goal to be reached by 2020 (Europe 2020 strategy), most countries have not and indeed will not do so by the deadline.

1. Though there has been an observable shift in the economy, what new initiatives does the Commission intend to take in order to achieve the employment goals set as part of the Europe 2020 strategy?

2. Will the Commission consider an economic recovery policy based on public and private investments over and above the EFSI?