§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the use of unemployment figures to determine regional eligibility for EU structural funds. [35625]
§ Mr. HainThe Commission's proposals for Structural Funds and for other cohesion policies for the years 2000–2006, published on 18 March, suggest unemployment rates as the main criterion to determine eligible areas under the new Objective 2 of the Structural Funds.
The UK, like other Member States, has difficulties with certain aspects of the new draft regulations, for example unemployment. The UK tends to have lower unemployment rates compared to other EU Members in equally poor areas. During the forthcoming negotiations we will be working hard, with other Member States and the Commission, to improve these draft regulations and to reach a fair and affordable outcome.