Backgroung
The report is based on the Commission proposal for the Joint Report presented on 30th January 2008 (COM/2008/0042final), and adopted with some changes at the 5 February meeting of the Social Protection Committee. The report focuses on priorities and progress made in the areas of child poverty, working longer, private pension provision, health inequalities and long-term care.
"Joint Report on Social Protection and Inclusion"
This fourth Report examines the themes identified in last year’s edition in more depth:
Child poverty,
Health inequalities, access to health care and evolving long-term care needs,
Longer working lives and privately managed pensions.
The report also outlines envisaged improvements of the working methods of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) on social protection and social inclusion which aim to further reinforce the efficiency of the process.
It was discussed by the Employment and Social Affairs Ministers on 29 February and, once adopted by the Council, was put to the Spring European Council on 13-14 March to highlight the social dimension of the jobs and growth package.
The report highlights a series of areas to focus future efforts:
Active inclusion measures, as well as pension and labour market reforms are necessary
Labour markets must be opened up to older workers.
Pension reforms need to be monitored regularly as regards their impact on future sustainability and adequacy, particularly for those with atypical career patterns.
To break the cycle of poverty and exclusion on children we need well-designed social policies and strengthed educational outcomes. Inclusion and anti-discrimination policies need to be reinforced.
Fighting child poverty requires a combination of quality job opportunities allowing parents to integrate and progress in the labour market, adequate and well-designed income support and the provision of necessary services for children and their families. The appropriate balance must be struck between helping families and targeting children in their own right.
Health concerns should be adopted in all policies, including promoting healthy lifestyles, while social protection should ensure access for all to quality healthcare and long-term care and promote prevention, including for those more difficult to reach.
Member States are committed to increasing access to quality services but providing such quality services remains a challenge. The right balance needs to be struck between public and private responsibilities and formal and informal care, including ensuring support for informal carers.
"Child poverty and Well-Being in the EU. Current status and way forward"
"Child poverty and Well-Being in the EU. Current status and way forward" was adopted by the Social Protection Committee on 17 January 2008.
Using commonly agreed indicators, the report identifies the predominant factors affecting child poverty in each country. The report also reviews the national monitoring and evaluation systems in place and draws 15 recommendations to better assess and monitor child poverty and the multiple dimensions of child well-being across the EU.
The report underpinned the key policy messages on social inclusion of the 2008 "Joint Report on Social Protection and Inclusion".
For further information
"Joint Report on Social Protection and Inclusion".
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO).
Council
Commission.
Social Protection Committee.
Open Method of Coordination (OMC),
Reforms are paying off, but don’t forget the most vulnerable – EU report
"Child poverty and Well-Being in the EU. Current status and way forward"
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