Lords welcome Commission’s work programme for 2015

In December 2014, the European Commission published its work programme for 2015. The presentation by the Commission of an annual work programme is standard practice, as is the Committee’s consideration of it. The 2015 Work Programme, though, is particularly notable as it focuses on a very small number of new initiatives, alongside the withdrawal of current initiatives that the Commission considers to be either inappropriate or requiring amendment in order to make them fit for purpose. It is also the first work programme published by the new Commission.

• Letter from First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, dated 17 December 2014
• The Commission Work Programme 2015
• Letter from the European Union Select Committee, dated 11 February 2015

In its letter, the Committee welcomes the approach adopted by the Commission, and in particular, welcomes the Commission’s focus on growth. This is clear in the reduction in the number of new proposals that the Commission intends to bring forward, and the increase in the number of proposals to withdraw dossiers or subject them to the REFIT programme, thereby simplifying and reducing the burden of compliance.

Each sub-committee of the Committee has considered the work programme in detail, and the letter includes an annex of questions that the Committee invites President Juncker to consider and respond to in line with the political dialogue between national parliaments and the Commission.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visiting Parliament: Select Committees