Translation of "Dépenses de lutte contre la pauvreté " (French → English) :

14. Is concerned that, among the conditions for financial assistance, the programmes include recommendations for specific cuts in real social spending in fundamental areas, such as pensions, basic services, health care and, in some cases, pharmaceutical products for the basic protection of the most vulnerable, as well as in environmental protection, rather than recommendations allowing national governments more flexibility to decide where savings could be made; fears that the main impact of these measures is on the fight against poverty, especially child poverty; restates that fighting poverty, especially child poverty, should continue to be an objective ...[+++]to be achieved by the Member States and that fiscal and budgetary consolidation policies should not undermine this;

14. Is concerned that, among the conditions for financial assistance, the programmes include recommendations for specific cuts in real social spending in fundamental areas, such as pensions, basic services, health care and, in some cases, pharmaceutical products for the basic protection of the most vulnerable, as well as in environmental protection, rather than recommendations allowing national governments more flexibility to decide where savings could be made; fears that the main impact of these measures is on the fight against poverty, especially child poverty; restates that fighting poverty, especially child poverty, should continue to be an objective ...[+++]to be achieved by the Member States and that fiscal and budgetary consolidation policies should not undermine this;

I would like to draw attention to the fact that even during the crisis, minimum incomes should not be viewed as an element that increases costs, but as a basic tool for combating the crisis, because early investment in the fight against poverty provides most benefit by reducing long-term social expenditure.

[9] The Communication on "Health and poverty reductionPoverty” and the reduction" and the Council Resolution on health‘Health and povertyPoverty’, and the Communication and Programme for Action on poverty-related diseases in external action and the relevant Council conclusions.

I think that there is some fine wording in this document: I would remind you of Article 2 – which asks for a high level of employment and a fight against poverty – and point out that the Council considers the current levels of poverty that still exist in the European Union to be unacceptable.

At the same time, however, the Member States have given new commitments, with the definition, in Nice, of the objectives of the fight against poverty, and in Stockholm, where they committed themselves to promoting sustainable development and quality jobs, confirming their desire to thereby contribute to reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion.