What does EU enlargement mean for the UK?
An enlarged European Union will mean greater European stability and security; more UK jobs, trade and prosperity (research estimates are that enlargement will add £1.75bn to UK GDP and create 300,000 jobs across the EU); and help countries to tackle global problems – such as cross border crime and pollution – more effectively. News story: Bill to pave way for EU enlargement(02/05/03) How are EU policies taken forward? Policy proposals are initiated by the European Commission. The European Commission is the executive organ of the Community (the equivalent of our civil service). There are twenty Commissioners and each one is allocated an area of responsibility, for example agriculture or trade. In the UK, the proposal is considered by the relevant Government Department. A proposal on health policy would fall to the Department of Health for example. Other Departments may have an interest – in particular, the Treasury will want to consider the budgetary impact of any proposal. If there is
