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Lisbon National Reform Programme

The key Lisbon governance reform is the introduction of a streamlined system for making commitments to and reporting on economic reform. This is particularly important at the national level, where the majority of difficult economic reforms must be made. At the Spring European Council in March 2005, EU Heads of Government agreed to refocus the Lisbon strategy on jobs and growth with a streamlined governance regime. This ‘Mid-Term Review’ was aimed at addressing what is widely seen as the failure of Member States to achieve the Lisbon Strategy’s goals.

Towards this end under the UK Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Member States were given until 15 October 2005 to adopt National Reform Programmes (NRPs), wihilst in addition the EU Commission also published an EU-level counterpart to the NRPs – a Community Lisbon Action Plan (CLAP) published in July 2005.

What is covered by National Reform Programmes (NRPs)
 
National Reform Programmes (NRPs) are a key part of the Economic reform delivery process. The document  covers a three-year cycle (2005-8). The aim is to communicate Lisbon to business and citizens, and to highlight progress and commitments in all Member States. Each national report should be high-level and challenging, intended to create real ownership at national level, where the majority of difficult economic reforms remain to be made in many Member States. 

The NRP will be a forward-looking document, drawn up on the basis of a new set of guidelines, agreed at the June European Council on 16/17 June 2005. These guidelines show the range of macro-economic, micro-economic and employment policy areas on which member states will be reporting. Bringing together the existing Broad Economic Policy Guidelines and Employment Guidelines, they are designed to ensure consistency and coordination in national strategies across the EU.

There were no clear rules on how Member States should develop their plans domestically – although the Spring European Council Conclusions made a recommendation for wide consultation with stakeholders, local and regional governments, delivery partners, in line with existing national traditions.

In October 2005, the UK Government published the UK's National Reform Programme (NRP) 2005-2008 entitled "Lisbon Strategy for Jobs and Growth: UK National Reform Programme".

Contact

Ohita Bare
Tel: 020 7215 6454
Fax: 020 7215 2234
Email: ohita.bare@dti.gsi.gov.uk