The EU emerged from recession in the third quarter of 2009 but growth remains anaemic ( 0.3%, EU27) and well below trend rates. Unemployment notably continues to rise and its pace of increase has accelerated in the most recent quarter to reach the highest levels in over a decade (9.5%, EU27)....

Socially irresponsible behaviour by financial institutions played a major part in causing the financial crisis, which has developed into a serious economic, social and political crisis. Financial innovation and a general lack of transparency in the system have made it hard for the people of...