Lords report urges Government to champion EU Single Market

• EU Sub-Committee B: 15th Report – Relaunching the Single Market 
• Inquiry into Re-launching the Single Market: Oral and associated written evidence   
• Other written evidence

The Committee agreed that steps are being taken to increase interest in the value of the Single Market and urged the Government to return to their role as its “champion”, in order to promote its benefits to UK businesses and citizens.

The inquiry, which was launched in July 2010 in advance of the European Commission’s consultation on the Single Market, considered a variety of issues, including the value of a “package deal” to implement social policy as compensation for market liberalisation, and the increasing importance of the Digital Agenda, which it would like to see incorporated into every aspect of the Single Market.

The Committee warned that despite its benefits, improvements could still be made to the transposition and enforcement of measures in all EU Member States.

Committee Chairman, Baroness O’Cathain, said, “We have been encouraged by the Commission’s efforts to reinvigorate interest in the Single Market, which has a crucial role to play in bolstering economic growth at a time of financial uncertainty. The UK has been a strong supporter of the Single Market from its inception and we hope that our recommendations will encourage the Government to return to a leading role in promoting the benefits of the Single Market, both in the UK and across the EU.”

Further information

The House of Lords European Union Select Committee’s role is to consider EU documents and other EU-related matters in advance of decisions being taken on them. It does this to influence the Government's position in negotiations in Brussels, and to hold them to account for their actions at EU level. Its Sub-Committee on Internal Market, Energy and Transport scrutinises EU policy on the internal market.

• Lords select committees: EU Sub-Committee B - Internal Market, Energy and Transport