Press Releases

Razor-thin majority against new unnecessary burdens on self-employed drivers

30th September 2009 - The European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) in the European Parliament was last night instrumental in blocking efforts of socialist MEPs to extend the EU's Working Time Directive to self-employed drivers.

Brussels, 29th September 2009 - Vicky Ford MEP, Conservative Spokesman on Economic and Monetary Affairs in the European Parliament, today grilled EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes on GM's potential sale of Opel and specifically the potential impact for UK workers in Ellesmere Port and Luton.

Harbour supports clearer labelling and default volume levels

Brussels, 28th September 2009 - The chairman of the European Parliament's consumer protection committee, Malcolm Harbour MEP, has welcomed the European Commission's proposals that encourage users of personal music players to keep the volume down whilst continuing to allow personal choice, however he has asked the commission to ensure that such an agreement be voluntary with manufacturers.

ECR ECON coordinator has concerns about pan-European regulator

Brussels, 23rd September 2009 - Proposals published by the European Commission today for a pan-European risk board and three watchdogs to oversee banks, securities and insurers, do not go far enough to protect the role of national regulators, Kay Swinburne MEP, Economic and Monetary Affairs coordinator for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, said today.

Threat of action should make banks improve their price structures

Brussels, 22nd September 2009 - Today's threatened action against banks by the European Commission should be enough for them to voluntarily improve their price structures and ensure consumers are given the best deal possible from their current accounts, Malcolm Harbour MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament's consumer protection committee, said today.