As Liberal Democrat News goes to press, European Leaders are still endeavouring to find a way to solve the Eurozone economic crisis.
Whilst obviously hoping that a solution is found, the Deputy Prime Minister asserted in a television interview this week that the UK must lead the debate on a stronger future for Europe.
"You're only going to get a healthy Eurozone, and we need a healthy Eurozone for a healthy United Kingdom, if long term growth and competitiveness is improved," he said. "And you only get that by actually improving, deepening and widening the single market.
"So you get more trade, more innovation, more entrepreneurialism across the European Union and that's where we can lead. I want to see Britain lead that debate, not have debates in the House of Commons about how we should leave the European Union.
"We are geographically, historically and economically absolutely linked to Europe. That is not going to change. We've got to make the best of it. Yes, reform it, and I know this having worked in Europe, the way you reform Europe is by leading the debate not by simply leaving it to others in Europe to mess things up."
"Eurosceptics need to be quite careful for what they wish for because if they succeed in pushing this country - and they won't succeed as long as I'm in government - to push this country towards the exit sign, then let's be clear; the people who will be damaged are British families, British businesses, British jobs, British communities
and I won't let that happen.
"This government of which I'm the Deputy Prime Minister is not going to launch some sort of dawn raid, some smash and grab raid on Brussels," asserted Nick. "It won't work, it will be condemned to failing.
"If you want to win the argument in the European Union, and we've learnt this the hard way, you've got to find friends and allies in Europe.
"There are a lot of countries out there, whether it's the Swedes, the Poles, the Finns, the Dutch and others, who actually look to us to work with them to make sure that the European Single Market - which, by the way, was a British invention introduced by a Conservative Government at the time because it's good for British businesses - that we continue to make that a success for Britain."
"The debate over regulation has been polarised around two extremes - on the one hand is the idea that it fixes every problem. Rules, targets, monitoring, endless government diktats to chivvy business in the right direction; mountains of form-filling so we can keep an eye on you.
"Previously, the approach has been 'when in doubt, legislate'. We saw it in public services, in the criminal justice system and, on average, British businesses were lumbered with six new regulations every working day. Thousands of different rules were left on the statute books - because new rules are free; they're easy; they make Ministers feel in control.
"On the other hand, you have the deregulation diehards who say we should scrap it all. They oppose regulation vehemently; on principle. The state has no business restricting business, and all we need to do to get the economy growing again is tear up the rule book; scrap environmental protections, workers' rights, consumer rights and, hey presto, we'll get business booming.
"Of course deregulation plays a role, but supply side liberalisation is not the be-all-and-end-all for growth. There is simply no evidence that - on its own - it is enough.
"So both extremes are ridiculous. And I'm not interested in a false debate about 'how much' regulation; I'm interested in what works.
"When I was working in Europe as an MEP, I campaigned for less red tape, I helped craft laws cutting it. Because liberals don't believe in rules for rules sake. We believe in intelligent, effective regulation that gets the balance right. And I've been working hard over the last 18 months, and will continue to do so, to restore the balance.
"So the Coalition is on a mission to liberate small business. We have set ourselves the challenge of being the first British Government to leave office having reduced the overall burden rather than increased it.
"First, we're halting the tide of new regulation. To that end, Vince Cable has introduced a radical one-in-one-out policy. It is the first of its kind in the world, and the Business Secretary has made new regulation a last resort in Whitehall.
"On top of limiting new rules, we're also hacking away at the ones that already exist. Our Red Tape Challenge invites ordinary people to identify overlaps, complexity and to highlight where the benefits are out of synch with the costs. That project has already looked at 400 regulations just in retail and hospitality. Over half - 220 - will be simplified or scrapped.
"Where people have expressed support for regulation, we're keeping it. Like with the hallmarking system for gold and silver. But, if it's tedious and pointless, its going. So no more insisting that a shop selling kitchen descaler has a poisons licence. No more having to pay for a piece of paper just to put on a little live music in a pub. Where there were twelve pieces of legislation on consumer rights, we're collapsing them into one.
"The end result will be a system designed for busy, working people rather than a job creation scheme for accountants and lawyers. And a system that saves you money. The Coalition's attack on red tape has already saved British businesses £3 billion. A further £600 million worth of savings could come just from the decision to exempt more companies from being audited.
"And there is another, specific, area of work I can unveil this morning. Changing the mindset within central government is one thing. But we make the rules - we don't enforce them. There are a range of bodies responsible for inspection: HMRC, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, to name a few. And they need to undergo this culture change too. They need to understand that their job is to make your life easier, not harder.
"So there will be a major shake up of business inspection - going through the regulators, asking 'are they still necessary?'; 'Should they still exist?'; making sure that, yes, they intervene when necessary, they offer advice and support, but otherwise they let you get on with it.
"They will need to respect the Regulators' Compliance Code, which says regulators must think about and encourage economic growth. And they will have to make sure they aren't breathing down your necks. Why, for example, should regulators be able to turn up at your door whenever they want and as often as they want? Why can't we limit the number of inspections to, say, two a year, ensuring these bodies coordinate amongst themselves to stick within that limit?
"We also know that which-body-does-what can be extremely unclear. So we're minimising the number of authorities you will have to deal with in the future, introducing sunset clauses for new regulators, placing them under rolling review; if they become irrelevant, or their functions are replicated elsewhere, they'll go."
Brian discussed Payback Sentencing with Nick Clegg on a visit to a project run by Nacro, the crime reduction charity. Brian also attended with the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and candidate for Deputy Mayor, Caroline Pidgeon.
Amongst many other roles, Nacro works directly with people on community sentences challenging them to stop offending, creating chances for them to move on from crime and to give something positive back to their communities.
Escalating energy prices are the biggest contributors to the latest rise in inflation. This week, in a move to ease the pressure on consumers, Prime Minister David Cameron and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne convened a summit meeting with leaders of the six largest energy producing companies.
Policy developments aimed at keeping household energy bills down were discussed and agreement, involving consumer groups and the industry regulator Ofgem as well as the Government and the energy suppliers, was reached on a wide range of measures to help consumers save money on their gas and electricity bills.
There would be clear and transparent communications to the consumer on their energy issues, including shared website and campaign material giving consumer advice on energy saving and the cheapest tariffs. Suppliers would also write urgently to eight million quarterly credit customers telling them how they can save money by changing their payment method. Energy bills will also make it much clearer how cheaper tariffs may be applied to their bills`and suppliers will look at improving ways in which customers can compare their gas and electricity consumption.
From December four million of the most vulnerable energy customers in Great Britain will receive letters telling them they are eligible for free or heavily discounted insulation in their lofts or cavity walls.
There is no immediate prospect of overall price reductions but there is an agreed aim to encourage more consumers to switch suppliers on the basis of better deals. At present Ofgem reports that last year only 15 per cent of gas customers and 17 per cent of electricy customers made a switch.
After the meeting the Prime Minister, David Cameron, commented "We are making energy companies be competitive. They're permanently being watched by Ofgem to make sure it is a competitive market, and we are making them make their energy available so that others can come in and provide customers with a good service. So this is about the Government, about the Citizens Advice Bureau, about other organisations, all working together to help people to keep their energy bills down."
Chris Huhne was pleased with the meeting but is not optimistic about future energy price levels. "If you were to ask me what is going to happen to world fossil fuel prices then the Government's prediction - and virtually everyone else's - is that in the medium run those prices are going to go up."
"Ed Miliband's sudden interest in getting to grips with lobbying is mere opportunism, not least as he and his shadow cabinet voted against Liberal Democrat proposals for greater transparency on this very issue when they were in government.
"Liberal Democrats are the only party to have consistently called for reform of the rules around lobbying, that's why there is a commitment to introduce a statutory register of lobbyists in the Coalition Agreement.
"Ed Miliband need not worry. On this issue, like many others, Liberal Democrats will deliver where the last government failed."
Now that the recess is over there are reports from both the Commons and the Lords on what Liberal Democrats have been saying.
Childcare boost announced by Clegg
The Deputy Prime Minister has announced more help for working parents who are trying to cope with the cost of childcare.
Around 80,000 more households, who currently do not receive help because they work too few hours in the week, will benefit from the changes.
Reaffirming the Coalition's commitment to helping parents, the government will invest an additional £300m into childcare support under Universal Credit, on top of the £2bn already spent under the current system.
Currently, childcare support is only available if you work 16 hours or more, but the government is removing the minimum hours rule so that all families receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for financial help. This means that families on low incomes will receive more support to keep them in work.
As now, families will be able to recover childcare costs at 70 per cent - up to £175 for one child or £300 for two or more children per week. The money will be paid through Universal Credit from 2013 and will mean that around 80,000 more families with children will be able to work the hours they choose.
"I welcome today's announcement that shows the Government has listened to the concerns of thousands of women and capped the maximum increase that women will see. This will protect half a million people, including hundreds of thousands of women who would have been worst affected by the change.
"Liberal Democrats had made clear to the Government that the proposal to raise the age of the state pension was unfair on many women and we were joined by campaigners in urging a rethink.
"With life expectancy set to increase, the Government's aim is a simple, decent state pension which is easy to understand, efficient to deliver and affordable."
"Anyone who still thinks that the troubles in the Eurozone are somebody else's problem is, frankly, living in fantasy land.
"The twin banking and sovereign debt crises - if left to rage on - could eclipse the 2008 financial meltdown.
"And, if that happens, the UK will pay a very heavy price.
"For one, our financial sector doesn't operate in a vacuum...
"Failure to recapitalise Eurozone banks could, in a worst-case scenario, have serious repercussions for lending here at home.
"The positive noises we are hearing about progress on European bank recapitalisation plans are therefore extremely welcome.
"But this isn't just about London's Square Mile.
"Businesses up and down the country - your businesses - depend on a healthy and stable Europe.
"Over half of all exports from Yorkshire and the Humber go to our European neighbours.
"In 2010 alone, over 4000 northern businesses exported over £25bn of goods to the EU.
"In the parts of the country suffering most from the rise in unemployment.
"That trade creates desperately needed jobs too.
"Prosperity in the North depends on stability in our European backyard.
"Yet, there are some people who see the current troubles as an opportunity for the UK to retreat from Europe.
"A moment to withdraw...
"Preferring isolationism, protectionism.
"Even though that is cutting our nose off to spite our face.
"The real way for the Government to help British businesses is.
"In the short-term, to be supportive of the Eurozone as it finds a swift and decisive resolution to the crisis.
"And, in the long-term, to use this moment to push for the deepening and widening of the Single Market.
"Why? Because by opening up trade, that market has created opportunities for business that would otherwise impossible.
"It has encouraged investment; created jobs; generated wealth.
"I have worked in the European Union.
"I am realistic about its flaws, and I am restless for it to do better.
"But I have also seen the benefits brought home when British officials shape trade agreements to suit British interests.
"I am proud that the world's biggest borderless market place was designed by Lord Cockfield, a British EU Commissioner.
"Driven by the British Government of the time.
"And I will not hide my frustration at the fact that Whitehall has become so much better at saying 'no' to Europe than getting the rest of Europe to say 'yes' to us.
"Under successive governments, a culture has grown up in which the starting point is never 'what can we get out of Europe?'
"But rather, 'how can we protect ourselves from Europe?'
"But that hurts the British people.
"It is a betrayal of great British achievements.
"And it's going to change.
"This Government is doing things differently.
"We're using our influence to advance British interests.
"Interests that are top of my agenda in all my dealings with other European leaders.
"I can tell you today that we are launching an aggressive new push to get more out of the Single Market.
"It is a scandal that, two decades after its inception, that market is still incomplete.
"A scandal that - despite the clear benefits it would bring - government after government has failed to seize the opportunities that come with further liberalisation within the EU.
"A scandal that British businesses and families continue to miss out on billions of pounds as a result.
"We could add 800bn Euros to the European economy just by liberalising trade in services and the digital economy.
"That's three and a half thousand pounds per household, per year.
"This Government is not going to sit idly by while Britain loses out.
"Nor are we going to take a backseat on trade between the EU and the rest of the world either.
"In the current round of EU negotiations on bilateral trade agreements, we're making sure we are heard, and making sure Britain benefits.
"And, in every decision, across the board, Britain must be louder than we've ever been.
"For example, we've left the European Commission in no doubt that the UK expects fair regulation of European financial services.
"Of course we believe that we must learn from the dramatic failings of regulation in the past.
"But any changes to regulation must create a level playing field.
"And we won't abide reforms that undermine recovery in the City.
"Anyone signing up for internet access will be asked to make an active choice about what they want to see online. This is far better than passing laws to force ISPs to filter everyone's internet connections by default.
"Web blocking should not lull parents into a false sense of security. The problem will only really be solved when parents take an active interest in what their children are doing online.
"Now that ISPs are acting voluntarily, the Government must step away from introducing web censorship laws"
