Comment: The UK needs to engage with significant parts of the EU agenda

Much of the political focus in the UK has been on the forthcoming referendum in Scotland but, ahead of that, the European Parliamentary elections will be held next month.

“The business world is so interconnected that in many areas it makes no sense to take decisions at national level alone”

Helen Dickinson, Director-General, British Retail Consortium

Across the EU the volume of political discussion is rising. Here in the UK some political voices champion the role of national parliaments and undoubtedly there are plenty who would rather Brussels had no say in our affairs at all.

As ever though, practicalities are somewhat different. In areas like the single market and international trade, the UK remains the most vigorous proponent of strong, concerted, EU-level action. Whatever the sceptics say, the Government should – and does – positively encourage new EU-level rules in these areas together with a strong Commission to ensure the member states fall into line. The business world is so interconnected that in many areas it makes absolutely no sense to take decisions at national level alone.

Take payments, for example. Recently, the European Parliament voted to set a fixed cap on the variable and excessive fees that banks charge retailers to process debit and credit card payments, something that the BRC has been campaigning on for years and long before I arrived. Setting a clear level for interchange fees will provide transparency for retailers and customers and a level playing field across the European payments market.

This is deeply significant because it provides a clear and cost-effective framework for businesses to accept cards across Europe, which in turn is an incentive for companies that may wish to set up physical or online interests across borders.

The European Parliament has played its part but the Council (representing the member states) also has a say and we are very pleased to say that in the Council the UK Government has been leading the charge, making the case for reform of payments and putting pressure on the presidency of the EU to make sure that enough time is scheduled for discussions.

We do not expect sceptic voices to suddenly change their narratives on Europe. Nevertheless, the business community as a whole will fulfil its responsibility to ensure that regardless of the domestic political climate, any UK Government stays engaged with those significant parts of the EU agenda that can deliver real results that in turn will encourage the creation of new jobs and help growth.

It is a point that both the BRC and the Prime Minister’s Business Taskforce have made well in our work on card charges.

• Helen Dickinson, Director-General, British Retail Consortium