On the General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027 - all sections

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

1.Underscores persistent socio-economic challenges, including barriers to growth and competitiveness, demographic change, poverty, housing affordability and accessibility, requiring budgetary support; stresses the need for adequate resources for EU employment and social policies;

2.Highlights the vital role of the EU programmes in the social fields, and especially those linked to the European Social Fund plus, in supporting the Union’s economic, social and territorial cohesion and fostering economic resilience;

3.Stresses the importance of implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and achieving its 2030 targets;

4.Calls on Member States to accelerate the uptake of EU funds and fully utilise available resources under the current MFF;

5.Points out the need to support women, children, youth, families, and vulnerable groups, advocating for targeted measures to combat youth unemployment, child poverty and social exclusion;

6.Emphasises the lack of policy responses to the impact of demographic challenges with an ageing population due to declining fertility rates and extended life expectancies; underscores the importance of adequate funding for care and support services;

7.Considers that a skilled and prepared workforce is essential for enhancing the Union's competitiveness and resilience against external shocks; recognises the essential role of skills, vocational training, traineeships and lifelong learning;

8.Emphasises the essential role of the five EU agencies active in employment and social policy and stresses that they should be provided with adequate financial and human resources to fulfil their mandates and respond to evolving tasks; underlines the need to ensure sufficient resources for the ETF beyond July 2027 to guarantee continuity of operations.