HC Deb 15 May 2000 vol 350 c41W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what co-operation the European Commission is seeking from the Government in respect of(a) its objective of modernising the system of pensions and social protection in member states, and if such modernisation is to extend to applicant member states and (b) its intention to establish a legal framework for supplementary pensions. [121635]

Mr. Rooker

Heads of State and Government agreed at the Lisbon Special Summit in March that social protection systems should be adapted as part of an active welfare state to ensure that work pays, and that they should be sustainable in the long-term in the face of an ageing population. It was agreed at the Summit that the High Level Working Party on social protection, of which the Commission is a member along with representatives from all member states, should arrange a study on the future long-term evolution of social protection, with particular attention on pensions. The Commission has indicated it will produce a new Communication on modernising social protection, concentrating on pensions, later this year. The High Level Working Party is due to produce a progress report on social protection by December at the Nice summit; and a more substantial report for the Spring Council 2001.

In December 1999, in the context of modernising social protection, the Council of Ministers concluded that the Community should pay particular attention to a balanced economic and social development in the applicant countries in the process towards an enlargement of the European Union. The High Level Working Party is considering ways of involving applicant countries in their work.

The Commission's Communication "Financial Services: Implementing the Framework for Financial Markets: Action Plan" (COM(1999)232) noted that the Commission would propose a Directive on the prudential supervision of pension funds. The Commission has held informal discussions with member states.