Reports

The Federal Trust Working Groups are convened with the purpose of considering developments in key policy areas. These groups undertake research and analysis around series of working group meetings. These meetings offer groups the opportunity to discuss their Terms of Reference, ideas and proposals. In many cases they also seek the views and opinions of a wide variety of interested parties. In the final stages of their work they also offer inputs and guidance to a Rapporteur who will aim to draft an agreed group report containing both analysis and recommendations.

The Reform of Financial Regulation in Europe by Sir Brian Unwin and Graham Bishop, March 2010. In the following report, the authors will review the new supervisory structure for financial services now envisaged for the European Union and consider in general terms the most important issues of governance and policy with which these new supervisory bodies will find themselves confronted.
A More Coherent and Effective European Foreign Policy? by Richard Whitman and Ana E. Juncos, February 2009. This report discusses the impact of the provisions contained in the Lisbon Treaty on the European Union’s external policies.
An Area of Freedom, Security and Justice in Europe? by Professor Jo Shaw, July 2007. This report considers from a number of complementary perspectives the progress the European Union has made over the past fifteen years towards realising an EU-wide ‘area of freedom, security and justice.’ Its main focus is on the institu- tional structures the Union has given or may give itself in the future for the construction of this area, rather than the detailed content of policy.
Legitimacy, Accountability and Democracy in the EU by Professor Vernon Bogdanor of Kings College London, January 2007. The European Union was founded to promote democracy in Europe. Yet its institutions and procedures leave much to be desired by democratic standards. The Union’s powers should be exercised in accordance with modern principles of democratic and accountable government”. This report sets out how this can be achieved.
Decision-Making in European External Policy by Brendan Donnelly and Stephen Haseler, November 2006. Editorial and Research Assistance from Jeannette Ladzik. A Federal Trust Report.
The Governance of the Eurozone by Sir Stephen Wall and Brendan Donnelly, October 2006. In his introduction to this report, the Group’s Chairman, Sir Stephen Wall, writes “The European Union as a whole has, like the Eurozone, been a success story. But both could do better. This is not a timid report. But nor is it an intemperate one. It makes recommendations that are not just within the power, but the capacity, of governments to carry into action. If these recommendations were implemented, they might give fresh impetus to political union, not for its own sake, but to help deliver the coherent governance Europe needs.”The report’s recommendations are: A permanent secretariat for the Eurogroup, in which the Finance Ministers of the Eurozone currently meet informally;Eurozone summits in parallel to meetings of the European Council; Meetings of Eurozone ministers from other Councils than the Council of Finance Ministers; Regular and structured meetings between representatives of the Eurogroup and the ECB; and a symmetrical inflation target for the ECB.
Funding the EU by Professor Iain Begg, March 2005.
Flexibility and the Future of the European Union by Sir Stephen Wall, Brendan Donnelly and Jo Shaw, October 2005. This report considers the question of a ‘flexible’ European Union from a number of differing perspectives, including conceptual, historical, national and regional approaches. The report’s conclusion is that the European Union is becoming and will become a more differentiated organisation than its original founders hoped or expected. A ‘ core Europe’ based on France and Germany is however not a realistic possibility for the foreseeable future. Depending on the policy area concerned differing models and degrees of differentiation within the Union may apply instead. The study concludes that the as yet unanswered question for the future of ‘flexible integration’ in the European Union is that of the governance of the Eurozone. Will those countries in the Eurozone be willing to pool further sovereignty to make the Eurozone more politically attractive and economically efficient?
Britain’s Future and the Euro: An Economic or Political Question? by Sir Brian Unwin, Honorary President, European Investment Bank, July 2004. In late 2003 the Federal Trust convened a high-level Working Group under the chairmanship of Sir Brian Unwin, honorary President of the European Investment Bank. Its remit was to examine the implications of a number of assumptions about UK membership, or non-membership, of the euro during the next 5 to 15 years.
Encouraging Democracy and Stakeholder Participation in the English Regions by Louise Ellmann MP and Stanley Henig, July 2003. Following the publication of the White Paper ‘Your Region, Your Choice’ and the second reading of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill, the Federal Trust convened a group with the remit to explore the best ways in which to involve the interests of stakeholders in the English assemblies.
Expanding WTO Rules? A Study on the Singapore Issues by Professor Jim Rollo, Rachel Thompson and Alexis Krachai, June 2003. In February 2003 the Trust convened a group with the purpose of exploring the need for and scope of any negotiation on WTO rules on the Singapore Issues-investment, competition, transparency in government procurement and trade facilitation.
Enhancing the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Understanding by Christopher Roberts and Philip Marsden, December 2002. In May 2002 the Trust convened a group with the purpose of identifying how the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Understanding can be made more effective, efficient and acceptable.
Corporate Social Responsibility & Socially Responsible Investing: A European Framework by Sir Brian Unwin and Harry Cowie, 2002. In November 2001 the Trust, with the strong support of the European Commission, set up a group on “Corporate Responsibility to European Society”. The purpose of the group was to demonstrate ways in which it is possible for companies to successfully reconcile their traditional business goals with wider social responsibilities, including environmental and consumer concerns.