§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the effect of European single market legislation upon net United Kingdom job creation figures between 1993 and 1997 in each of the three sectors of the British economy most affected by that legislation. [HL1644]
§ Lord Simon of HighburyThere are no meaningful figures on the effect of European single market legislation upon net UK job creation between 1993 and 1997. Overall during that period, UK employment grew 33WA by 1.2 million, to which the development of the single market was a contributory factor. Various calculations have been carried out on the impact of single market legislation on EU employment and all of them suggest a positive net addition to jobs. Only the scale of benefit varies—from around 300,000 to 900,000 depending on the simulation models used. More job opportunities have been accompanied by higher take home pay of 0.4 per cent. per annum as a result of the single market programme. Over the longer term, the positive effect of the single market programme on jobs may be larger yet, as rationalisation and restructuring produce leaner and fitter companies. The EU puts a high priority on increasing employment. From the Employment Action Plans drawn up following the Cardiff Summit in June 1998, it is clear that member states are making serious efforts to enhance employability, in particular that of the young, the long-term unemployed and women.