Understand the role of the major EU institutions.
Task 3a The Communities Act 1972, which gives legitimacy to the UK's membership of the EU is under threat. Mr Cameron, the UK Prime Minister, has promised a referendum by 2017 to allow the British people decide whether or not the UK should remain in the EU. If the majority vote is for the UK to pull out of the EU, it means that the Communities Act will be repealed and the UK will no longer be a member of the EU. One of the overarching arguments behind the referendum is that the UK seem to have relinquished too much powers to the EU, through the main EU institutions. Read widely and investigate further the facts above and answer the following
question: 1) Advise the UK government on what role the main EU institutions play in the determination and legitimising of EU policy; and briefly discuss whether there is any veracity to the argument that the UK has relinquished too much powers to these institutions. (This provides evidence for assessment criteria 3.1)
Task 3b A fictitious directive 267/14 was issued by the EU to all member states on 1 October 2014. It prohibits the export of fire arms out of the EU. The UK government has come to you for advice as they are concerned that if they implement this directive, they will be in breach of their contract with a non-EU country to whom they supply fire arms. The contract is due for renewal on 1 October 2015. Consider the scenario above and answer the following
questions 2) Advise the UK government on the function of EU directives and whether or not you think they will be in breach as described above. Further, should the UK decide to ignore the directive, what consequences, if at all, do you think may follow. (This provides evidence for assessment criteria 3.2)
2) What are the main EU funding streams? Evaluate their structure and purpose. (This provides evidence for assessment criteria 3.3)
Task 4 LO4: Be able to develop an action plan for a specific UK company wishing to trade within the EU. Read the case study below and further research, complete the questions that follow. A Slap Down of Italy and France Over Budget "France and Italy pressed for an easing of budget restrictions to stimulate growth and cut unemployment in Europe, but won no concession from the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who insisted that countries had to move faster on reforms. The difference over budgetary policy overshadowed the Milan meeting of EU leaders on how to create jobs, as the multi-year budget plans of both France and Italy seemed likely to be rejected by the European Commission because of their fiscal backsliding. While government leaders and EU officials agreed on the need to tackle record youth unemployment, which has exceeded 40 per cent in several Eurozone countries, they seemed no closer on the policy prescriptions. Responding to a prior call by Hollande for Germany to exploit its trade surplus and balanced budget to adopt more expansionary policies, Angela Merkel said her country had already taken steps to boost domestic demand by 15bn Euros" (City AM 10 Oct.2014)
Tasks 1) Produce a profile of the EU as a trading bloc and discuss its importance to member states. (This provides evidence for assessment criteria 4.1)
2) Evaluate the significance of: a) Linguistics, b) Cultural, c) Logistical and d) Environmental barriers to EU operations; and e) Briefly, explain how these factors may influence as barriers to the national budgets of the member states. (This provides evidence for assessment criteria 4.2) 3) Carry out an audit of possible EU funding streams that may be available and relevant directives to support companies in France or Italy during their financial situation in the case study. (This provides evidence for assessment criteria 4.3)
4) Produce an action plan which lists the actions necessary for Wonga to begin an investment venture in EU. (This provides evidence for assessment criteria 4.4)