Blunkett: EU social model must reform
The European social model does not have to be abandoned but it must be adapted to meet the challenges of the 21st century, David Blunkett said today.
The work and pensions secretary said it was vital that the EU “learn the lessons of change” if it was to meet the economic challenge posed by India and China and the problems posed by a shrinking working age population and the subsequent pension problems.
Speaking in the wake of last week’s meeting of employment and social affairs ministers in Belfast, Mr Blunkett said this meant getting people into work and raising the skills and productivity of the working population.
At the start of Britain’s six-month presidency of the EU, foreign secretary Jack Straw said the government was committed to finding a way to reconcile economic progress and social justice, denying there needed to be a choice between the two.
Today Mr Blunkett restated this idea, urging European ministers to enter a wide-ranging debate on how the social model could be modernised in the run-up to a special European council meeting in the autumn.
“We do not want to abandon the European social model, but if it is to be sustained it must meet the challenges of the 21st century, particularly those of demography and globalisation,” he said.
“We need to learn the lessons of change and manage the process to deal with people’s fears and recognise the challenges we face such as those of India and China.”
Mr Blunkett highlighted the importance of reaching the 70 per cent employment target for Europe by 2010. It was set in 2000 as part of a ten-year plan for revitalising growth and sustainable development across the trading bloc.
“We need to reappraise and update where we are on delivering the Lisbon agenda of jobs and growth, which are the issues the public want us to focus on,” the former home secretary said.
“The best form of welfare is work, which provides independence and dignity. Last week’s meeting in Belfast gave a real opportunity for ministers to exchange ideas and experience of what works in practice.”
He added: “The only answer is to take action to get more people into work across Europe and ensure the skills and productivity of the working population is significantly raised.”
