Quote of the week

This week we made progress towards eradicating child poverty in Europe by securing nearly six billion Euros for the European Child Guarantee. One in four children live in poverty or danger of social exclusion. It is shameful that Europe does not even provide for the basic needs of its children. Ending child poverty is the first and most crucial step to reducing inequalities. I am proud that we could defend the Child Guarantee against the resistance of the liberals and some conservatives in this house. For sure, there can be no better investment than investing in our children.
- Udo Bullmann on the European Child Guarantee, which was put forward by the S&Ds to combat child poverty

We have just wrapped-up another important Plenary session in Strasbourg. We have welcomed the Romanian Prime Minister, Viorica Dancila, who has outlined the priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council, and also, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. You can see a video wrap-up of our week here.  

Upcoming activities

As Tax Justice will continue to be a priority for our Group in the upcoming period, next week we will launch a new study on the tax gap. In 2012, an S&D study found evidence of a €1 trillion tax gap, which led to a European-wide outcry and regulatory action against tax evasion and tax avoidance by the European Commission. 7 years later, it is time to take stock. New figures, new studies and new and stronger proposals on how to crackdown on tax crime will be presented next week by our president Udo Bullmann and tax expert Prof Richard Murphy to the press and NGOs on Wednesday. 

Preparations are ongoing for the first #EuropeTogether event of the year. On January 29 in the European Parliament, together with SOLIDAR we will be hosting the 2019 Silver Rose Awards. Celebrating the achievements of the civil society in these times of turmoil is our way of stating that solidarity and investment in people is the way forward in Europe and all over the world. 
Check out the awardees and the programme and register here

Follow us for updates and details on Twitter!

S&D press contact