Eu Proposal To Reform Regional State Aid

EDM number 1807 in 2003-04, proposed by Jeff Ennis on 25/10/2004.

That this House notes with concern the European Commission's current proposals for the reform of regional state aids, which would end the ability of the Government to provide financial support to larger firms for projects that create or protect jobs in the whole of the North East, the whole of the Midlands, the whole of central Scotland and large parts of Yorkshire, the North West and Wales, and would reduce the allowable aid in the few remaining eligible areas; regards state aid to firms in less prosperous areas as an essential, proportionate and targeted tool to help promote regional development; and calls on the Government to oppose the current proposals and impress upon the Commission the importance of new rules that are consistent with the shared objective of narrowing the difference in growth and prosperity between regions.

This motion has been signed by a total of 48 MPs.