Parliament approves more money for the most deprived

MEP Casa negotiated an increase in funds due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

“The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that legislators improve current legislation and financial aid for those who have been hardest hit, be it from a health, financial, or even social perspective. One such crucial measure is the increase in aid to the most deprived. Today, I am pleased that we have succeeded in making additional funds available to support the most vulnerable in society.”

Member of the European Parliament David Casa made these remarks after the European Parliament’s Plenary approved amendments to the current regulation to strengthen the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) in order to deal with the COVID-19 crisis. MEP Casa negotiated this legislation on behalf of the Group of the European People’s Party. This report was approved by 649 votes in favour, 7 against and 31 abstentions.

In his comments, Quaestor Casa, who forms part of Parliament’s Bureau, said that “lockdowns across Europe have made lives very difficult for a lot of families. People have lost their jobs. Others saw their income drastically reduced. With the additional funding that was made possible today we can provide support to those who have been worst impacted by the pandemic.”

FEAD provides support for people in vulnerable situations by providing finance for the purchase of basic necessities. The changes to the current FEAD regulation negotiated by Mr Casa will make it possible for member states to access funds made available through REACT-EU and increase the time in which this financing can be accessed so as to ensure that funds can continue to flow.

David Casa is also the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the European Social Fund Plus, a cluster of EU funds amounting to just under €90 billion that will form the EU’s main tool to combat social exclusion, unemployment and provide support to the most deprived. Currently, MEP Casa is in negotiations with European Governments to ensure that these funds are up and running as soon as possible.