UK'S LISBON NATIONAL REFORM PROGRAMME
(NRP)
Letter from Angela Eagle MP, Exchequer Secretary,
HM Treasury to the Chairman
I am writing to you to announce publication
of the 2007 Update to the UK's Lisbon National Reform Programme
(NRP). Publication of this year's Update is earlier than usual,
due to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement that both
the 2007 Pre-Budget Report and the 2007 Comprehensive Spending
Review will report in October.
Following the relaunch of the EU's Lisbon Strategy
at the Spring 2005 European Council, the UK submitted its first
National Reform Programme (NRP) to the Commission in autumn 2005,
setting out the key reforms the UK is undertaking to promote growth
and jobs. The UK submitted its first NRP update in autumn 2006,
and is now required to submit a further progress report on reform
implementation, in common with other Member States. The 2007 update
has been prepared with the valuable input of a number of Whitehall
departments, the Devolved Administrations and external stakeholders.
The 2007 update describes the approach we are
taking to promote macroeconomic stability and sound public finances,
stronger productivity growth and higher employment, consistent
with the Lisbon Strategy, the Integrated Guidelines of the EU,
and the priorities identified by successive European Councils.
It also responds particularly to the country-specific recommendation
addressed to the UK, which was agreed at the 2007 Spring European
Council.
The 2007 Update is complemented by a reporting
grid required by the European Commission, which sets out as full
a picture as possible of main reform measures undertaken by the
Government and the Devolved Administrations.
The UK is at the forefront of economic reform
in Europe, and as such it is vital that we meet the EU-level NRP
publication deadline of 15 October. Unfortunately, on this occasion
publication during recess is the only way to ensure this deadline
is met. As agreed with the European Commission, we will also submit
a follow-up letter setting out relevant announcements in the PBR
and CSR.
Copies of the 2007 NRP update will follow by
post.
18 September 2007
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