Ecofin
Treasury
Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells, Conservative)
A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council was held in Brussels on
Banking Supervision Mechanism
Ministers discussed the latest proposal for a single supervisory mechanism (SSM). There will be a further ECOFIN Council on
Revised capital requirements rules (CRD IV)
The presidency updated Ministers on the current state of play of negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposals for revised capital requirements rules (CRD IV).
Economic governance—Two pack
The presidency updated Ministers on negotiations with the European Parliament on two draft regulations aimed at improving economic governance in the euro area. The UK Government tabled a minute statement where:
“The UK reiterated its clear understanding that there would be no new commitments from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM) following entry into force of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Treaty on
Financial Transaction Tax (FTT)
The presidency updated Council on the European Commission’s proposal for an authorising decision on the introduction of a FTT by some member states using the enhanced co-operation procedure. The UK will not participate in an enhanced co-operation FTT.
Credit Rating Agencies
The presidency updated Ministers on the political agreement reached with the European Parliament on the credit rating agencies 3 (CRA3) dossier.
Macro - economic Imbalance Procedure — Commission annual report
The European Commission presented its second alert mechanism report, which is the first stage in the macro-economic imbalance procedure.
Annual Growth Survey 2013
The European Commission presented the annual growth survey for 2013.
Issues related to the Economic and Monetary Union
The European Commission outlined its report on a “Blueprint” for economic and monetary union.
Implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact
ECOFIN Council considered that Greece has taken effective action to correct the situation of excessive deficit; and adopted a decision granting Greece an additional two years to correct its excessive budget deficit in recognition that:
“effective action has been taken and unexpected adverse economic events with major unfavourable consequences for government finances occur after the adoption of the recommendation”.
VAT Quick Reaction Mechanism
Ministers held an orientation debate on a proposed directive amending the common system of value added tax as regards a quick reaction mechanism against VAT fraud, in particular on the issue of whether implementing powers under the proposal should lie with the Commission or the Council. A number of member states, including the UK, reiterated the importance of decisions on tax matters being made by the Council and being subject to unanimity. The Council agreed that further work was needed on this issue.
Annual Report of the Court of Auditors on the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2011
The president of the European Court of Auditors, Mr Vitor Caldeira, presented to Council the annual report of the Court of Auditors on the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2011. The UK expressed its disappointment that the Court of Auditors were unable to give an unqualified assurance for the 18th consecutive year and that the error rate had increased to 3.9% from 3.7% in 2010.
Code of Conduct (Business Taxation)
ECOFIN adopted Council conclusions on a report in relation to the code of conduct (business taxation), summarising the work of the code group under the Cypriot presidency. Following a minute statement at Coreper by Spain, the UK tabled a statement to confirm that the Government of Gibraltar have already begun work to ensure an element of their Income Tax Act complies with the principles of the code.