Investment can change European perception

By Rob Virtue on June 12, 2009 11:19 AM |

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Another low turn-out for European elections went some way to confirming the British public's scepticism.

But one advocate came to Canary Wharf this week to make the case for a Europe that could make a difference to people's lives.

European Commissioner Danuta Hubner told businesses that a £9.5billion investment in Britain's economy was the sort of policy that would change people's minds.

Appearing at Thomson Reuters on Tuesday, she said: "I hope the election results are more related to the crisis and the uncertainties connected with the global challenges around us. Europe is a solution - not a problem.

"You can't change scepticism by issuing a new brochure on the European Union.

"People can change the channel on the television if a programme about it comes on, so we have to think how we can communicate better.

"Participating in European procedures such as applying for these funds helps people's understanding."

Britain's cut is part of a £300bn fund across European Union states called the Cohesion Policy.

It is estimated it will help fund hundreds of thousands of jobs across the continent.

Grants from the European Commission have already assisted a number of UK sites before the latest policy.

The Nottingham Tramway was given £3.6million, while the EU also invested in the conversion of Newquay Airport from military to commercial airport, increasing access to the region.

The Cohesion Policy aims to tackle unemployment during the recession, but also promote green issues such as renewable energy and training.

Ms Hubner said: "There's no doubt there will be bigger unemployment next year - we predict about 11 per cent for Europe. Our main challenge in Europe is to make sure this does not turn into long-term unemployment.

"So we must look to make sure people have the skills for post-recession industry, particularly in more environmentally-friendly industry."

One area in the capital that is sure to benefit from European investment, according to Ms Hubner, is the Olympics.

She said: "London is lucky it is coming out of a crisis and landing into the Olympics. But the challenge will be to create infrastructure that will be of use after the event.

"I had a meeting with Boris Johnson some months ago and the plans for this are optimistic, so there should be some European investment."