MP calls for EU to focus on ending trade barriers in single market
31st January 2012
Following the Prime Minister's statement on the European Council meeting, Margot James calls on the Government and EU countries not to be distracted from the important task of ending barriers in the single market and reducing regulation.
Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): I welcome the fact that the agreement places no new obligations on the UK, but is it not the case that the agreement, whatever its merits or disadvantages, should not distract us or our EU partners from the necessary task of ending the barriers in the single market and reducing regulation?
The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important point. Of course the eurozone countries want to see rules on fiscal discipline, but as I have said many times, it is not just fiscal deficits that have to be addressed, but trade deficits, and that is where the single market agenda can help not only countries such as ours, but theirs too.
