A paper examined the available literature on the social 'open method of co-ordination' (OMC) in the European Union between 2006 and 2010. The linkage between knowledge of an issue and direct use of the OMC for policy change in social policy was 'weak'.
Source: Caroline de la Porte, State of the Art: Overview of concepts, indicators and methodologies used for analyzing the social OMC, REC-WP 15/2010, Reconciling Work and Welfare in Europe/Edinburgh University
Links: Paper
Notes: The open method of co-ordination (OMC) is an intergovernmental means of governance in the European Union, based on the voluntary co-operation of member states rather than the application of legislative measures.
Date: 2010-Dec
The government announced a series of new principles that it would use when introducing European measures into United Kingdom law, designed to end 'gold-plating'. The text of European directives would in future be copied directly into UK law without further interpretation. Early transposition of European regulations would be avoided except where there were compelling reasons for earlier implementation. A statutory duty would be placed on Ministers to conduct a review of domestic legislation implementing a European directive every five years.
Source: Written Ministerial Statement 15 December 2010, column 99WS, House of Commons Hansard/TSO
Links: Hansard | Guiding principles | TUC press release
Date: 2010-Dec
A report by a committee of MPs examined the legal relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and whether a statutory provision was necessary (as proposed in the European Union Bill) in order to shield the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty from EU law. It said that the evidence received suggested that the legislative supremacy of Parliament was not under threat from EU law.
Source: The EU Bill and Parliamentary Sovereignty, Tenth Report (Session 2010-11), HC 633, House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee/TSO
Links: Report
Date: 2010-Dec
A briefing paper examined likely political trends and priorities in the European Union in 2011 and 2012. The financial and economic crisis had the potential to undermine multi-level European governance arrangements by amplifying contradictions and divergences between national and European institutions, interest groups, and concerns. The crisis was already jeopardizing social cohesion within the member states.
Source: Rosa Balfour, Janis Emmanouilidis and Fabian Zuleeg, Political Trends and Priorities 2011-2012, European Policy Centre
Links: Paper
Date: 2010-Dec
The European Union Bill was given a second reading. The Bill was designed to strengthen United Kingdom procedures for agreeing to, or ratifying, certain European Union decisions and treaty changes. It provided for a UK referendum on any proposed EU treaty or treaty change that would transfer powers from the UK to the EU.
Source: European Union Bill, Foreign and Commonwealth Office/TSO | Debate 7 December 2010, columns 191-277, House of Commons Hansard/TSO
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | Hansard | HOC research brief
Date: 2010-Dec
