New EU Commissioner should visit West Midlands to see obstacles to recovery - MEP

10.51.43am GMT Wed 16th Dec 2009

The proposed new EU Employment Commissioner should visit the West Midlands to see how this key manufacturing centre is coping with the slump, says local MEP Liz Lynne.

As first Vice President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, Liz Lynne will have a key role in approving the appointment of Laszlo Andor.

The Hungarian academic and economist is due to take over as EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs in the new year, but only if he is approved by MEPs. Liz Lynne had a personal meeting with Professor Andor at the Parliament in Strasbourg this week. Commenting afterwards Liz Lynne said:

"I would like Professor Andor to come to the West Midlands region to discuss some of the obstacles that businesses face as they battle to recover from recession.

"It is important he witnesses these problems first hand and doesn't just hear about them whilst sat at his desk in Brussels.

"One of the most important things he can do as Commissioner is to listen and take action on the calls for less pointless red tape which could strangle economic recovery at birth."

Liz Lynne said that another priority she raised was the need to effectively implement existing EU antidiscrimination laws.

"We need to be doing more to implement existing legislation to ensure that no one faces unfair discrimination when they try to find a job and we must also adopt new laws in access to goods and services. Rules can be agreed which are simple to administer and fair for everyone."