UK government failed to prepare for pandemic-like situations – report

While the pandemic is primarily a physical health crisis, it has also had widespread impact on people’s mental health, inducing, among other things, considerable levels of fear, worry, and concern. The growing burden on mental health has been referred to by some as the ‘second’ or ‘silent’ pandemic. While negative mental health consequences affect all ages, young people, in particular, have been found to be at high risk of developing poor mental health. Specific groups have been particularly hard hit, including health and care workers, people with pre-existing mental health problems, and women. The pandemic has also appeared to increase inequalities in mental health, both within the population and between social groups. To address the population’s increased psycho-social needs, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe established an expert group on the mental health impacts of Covid-19 in the European region. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has issued analyses and guidance on mental health in general and the pandemic’s impact on mental health in particular. At European Union level, a December 2020 European Commission communication addressed the pandemic’s impact on mental health. In May 2021, the Commission organised a major online stakeholder event, and published best practice examples of solutions presented. A July 2020 European Parliament resolution recognises mental health as a fundamental human right, calling for a 2021-2027 EU action plan on mental health. Members of the European Parliament have also called on the Commission to put mental health at the heart of EU policymaking. Stakeholders broadly rally around calls for programmes and funding to improve citizens’ mental health, not least to respond to the pandemic’s long-term implications.

Source : © European Union, 2021 – EP

Of the 16,000 ventilators bought during the first pandemic wave which are now stored in a town near Budapest, the Hungarian government has already donated 400 of them to other countries but appears to have so far failed to sell…

The largest Slovak agricultural association, the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPKK), is has raised concerns that Agriculture Minister Ján Mičovský (Ordinary People Party – OĽaNO) may have failed to prepare a strategic plan under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP),…

During its July plenary session, Parliament is set to discuss the Committee on Budgetary Control’s report on the control of the European Investment Bank’s financial activities in 2019. The report highlights the role of the Bank in financing the European Green Deal, and its gradual shift towards being ‘the EU Climate Bank’. It also looks into the implementation of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and the Bank’s external operations, among other things. As last year, the report strongly emphasises the need for more integrity, transparency and accountability, stronger external scrutiny and reinforced mechanisms to fight fraud and corruption.

Source : © European Union, 2021 – EP

On 3 September 2020, the European Commission published its 31st annual report on the fight against fraud affecting EU financial interests, covering the year 2019. In total, 11 726 irregularities were reported to the Commission, 2 % fewer than in 2018. They involved approximately €1.6 billion, 34 % less than in the previous year. Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control has adopted a report on the Commission’s annual report, which is due to be discussed and voted during the July plenary session.

Source : © European Union, 2021 – EP