About: social welfare

Social Democrats promise Swedes extra holiday as election nears

Sweden's ruling Social Democrats launched their election manifesto on Tuesday (28 August) promising an extra week of holiday for parents as the party seeks to avoid its worst showing ever in a national vote.

Social voucher solutions ‘create jobs and combat black economy’

Social voucher solutions are smart ways to stimulate local economies and create jobs, as well as increase spending power and combat the black economy, Nathalie Renaudin tells EURACTIV.

Europe’s silent shift to self-employment

Self-employment is becoming more diversified in Europe and covers an increasing number of activities. But this small revolution raises issues when it comes to social protection. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Estonian minister: The digital economy needs more social Europe

There needs to be an EU-wide solution to precarious app economy jobs, said Estonian Labour and Health Minister Jevgeni Ossinovski in an interview with EURACTIV.com.

Finland first in Europe to take basic income plunge

Discussions between the supporters and opponents of the idea of Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) are fierce but Finland has bitten the bullet and implemented the concept across the country in a new landmark pilot project. EURACTIV Germany reports.

France’s Valls courts traditional socialists in presidential bid

Former prime minister Manuel Valls promised to avoid draconian public spending cuts in a pitch for traditional leftwing voters as he laid out his bid on Tuesday (3 January) to become the ruling Socialist Party's candidate in France's presidential election.

Händel: German welfare proposal ‘goes against the spirit of European unity’

At the end of April, German Minister of Labour Andrea Nahles presented a bill that would lock out EU citizens from the country's welfare system. Die Linke’s Thomas Händel spoke with EURACTIV Germany about the issue.

Merkel tells Cameron a ‘reasonable package’ should avoid Brexit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday (6 January) she wanted talks to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership of the European Union to produce a "reasonable package" that would keep Britain in the bloc.

EPP leader: UK could lose its veto right in EU

Britain could lose its prized EU veto on some subjects if it opts out from the commitment to "ever closer union" in the bloc's treaties under David Cameron's reform plans, a senior German MEP said.

British-German axis emerges against benefits tourism

The UK and Germany both want to see tighter controls on access to welfare for EU migrants, according to German MP Stephan Mayer, who was in London to step up the Christian Social Union's (CSU) campaign against so-called benefits tourism in Europe.

Timmermans backs UK push against ‘welfare tourism’

Public support for the European Union's freedom of movement rules will dwindle if welfare abuse is not tackled, a top EU official said on Thursday (5 March), saying Britain can drive change in the Europe Union by engaging more with other member states.

German government introduces new measures tackling ‘poverty migration’

The German government tabled a final report on Wednesday (27 August) addressing "legal issues and challenges” related to social benefits claims by EU immigrants, with Bavarian conservatives welcoming the “correct approach” and Social Democrats shaking their heads at the new measure. EURACTIV Germany reports.

European healthcare first victim of social spending cuts

Social spending is decreasing across Europe, even though it could curb the negative impacts of the economic crisis, EURACTIV France reports.

Schäuble fears ‘revolution’ if Europe fails to preserve welfare model

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble warned on Tuesday (28 May) that failure to win the battle against youth unemployment could tear Europe apart, and dropping the continent's welfare model in favour of tougher US standards would spark a revolution.

Nilsson: Reforms have made Europe better than three years ago

Europe is better now than three years ago as the crisis has forced EU leaders towards further integration, Staffan Nilsson told EURACTIV at the end of his mandate as president of the European Economic and Social Committee.