European cooperation is helping EU Member States improve social cohesion policies and spending, says a Commission report to be discussed by employment ministers on 22 February. The 2007 'Joint Report on Social Protection and Inclusion' highlights priorities and progress made in the areas of social inclusion, pensions, healthcare and long-term care – but underlines that big challenges remain. Member States are stepping up efforts to tackle child poverty, promote 'active inclusion' of the most disadvantaged in society, ensure adequate and sustainable pensions as well as equal access to health and long-term care. Once adopted by the Council, the report will go to the Spring Summit of EU leaders on 8-9 March as the social contribution to the jobs and growth package.
"Recent reforms to make national systems more fiscally and socially sustainable are encouraging, but there are still big challenges ahead," said Vladimír Špidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
He added: "The facts are clear, 16% of Europeans remain at risk of poverty and 10% live in jobless households. Across Europe, there is a 13 year gap between the highest and lowest life expectancies for men, and spending on health and long-term care in the EU ranges from 5% of GDP to 11%. But through mutual learning and by stimulating countries to set common goals, Europe can bring a real added value to national efforts to reinforce social cohesion."
This year's report examines the first ever integrated national strategies on social inclusion, pensions, healthcare and long-term care. It reviews the main trends across the EU and in the Member States. The report includes country profiles identifying the key challenges in each Member State. Overall, progress has been promising, but the report draws a series of conclusions on where to focus future efforts:
• Member States need to back their commitments to reduce child poverty by taking a multi-dimensional approach. This includes facilitating parents' labour market participation, improving access to quality education and adequate housing and protecting children’s rights. Across the EU, 19% of children are at risk of poverty and youth unemployment is particularly worrying at 18.7% in 2004 – twice the average unemployment rate. In addition, 15% of the 18 to 24 year olds left school early, increasing the risk of social exclusion.
• There is a growing consensus that 'active inclusion' – balancing stronger incentives to work with access for all to enabling services of high quality and with guarantees for adequate minimum income levels for those who cannot work – is the best way to integrate the most excluded into society. Homeless people, people with disabilities, immigrants and ethnic minorities need special attention.
• There are currently wide disparities in health outcomes across the EU, with men's life expectancies ranging from 65.4 years (Lithuania) to 78.4 (Sweden) and those for women from 75.4 (Romania) to 83.9 (Spain). Health care systems strive to provide equal access to high quality services for all through a more effective use of resources – both in terms of allocation and spending. Given demographic trends, there is a need to expand long-term care and to put it on more secure financial footing.
• Pension systems in many countries have been or are being reformed to ensure adequate incomes for people in retirement as well as overall financial sustainability. More people in work is the best way to achieve this balance, but older workers must still have the opportunity to continue working. The overall employment rate of those aged 55-64 has risen from 38% in 2001 to 43% in 2005 and the Lisbon target of 50% in 2010 has been reached by nine countries (DK EE IE CY LV PT FI SE UK), although it is still as low as 30% in some.
As well as assessing progress by the Member States and setting priorities for further action, the Joint Report identifies examples of good practice and innovative approaches already used in national contexts. For example, the UK – with a relatively high level of child poverty – is using a comprehensive set of measures to improve on this, with an emphasis on early learning and childcare. Austria has introduced programmes to fight homelessness by reducing forced evictions and Poland is supporting the social economy as one means to promote active inclusion.
(Communiques de presse- Rapid 19/02/2007)