Achievements

EURIM helped set the agenda for the Communications Bill

EURIM transformed the nature of debate in Brussels and dramatically influenced policy in Westminster. Back in 1994 a EURIM / TMA (now CMA) group demonstrated how UK liberalisation had led to improved innovation and service provision, which led to radical changes in thinking in the Commission. EURIM’s Communications group then drew attention to the many overlapping regulators for infrastructure and content, the need for basic regulatory principles, and the urgent need for regulatory rationalisation. These recommendations were adopted in the Better Regulation Task Force’s subsequent reports. Further work alerted decision makers to the need for a unitary regulatory structure (Ofcom). EURIM parliamentary and observer members were involved in drafting the White Paper:- A new future for Communications (December 2000) and EURIM’s findings over the previous years were the basis for many of its key recommendations.

Relevant EURIM Briefings: 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 19, 23, 25, 26

EURIM alerted Government to the need for active co-operation with industry in the fight against e-Crime, including the effective regulation of investigatory powers

EURIM opened debate on the need to review the balance of roles and responsibilities between government, law enforcement agencies, regulators, industry and individuals in prevention, investigation and redress. EURIM is working with the Home Office, DTI and others on realistic frameworks for partnership, information sharing and collaboration. EURIM inputs on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers and on the Lawful Interception of Business Communications also alerted ministers and officials to the risk of undermining commercial security and personal privacy without delivering tangible improvements in tackling crime or terrorism. The relevant DTI regulations were re-written and a EURIM sub-group is currently helping the Home Office structure consultation on the duties and responsibilities of all concerned with investigations under statutory powers, not just RIPA.

Relevant EURIM Briefing: No 34

EURIM is helping to remove the barriers to achieving real e-Government

EURIM’s modernising government group welcomed the Government’s objectives, set out in Successful IT, modernising government in action to achieve e-government by 2005 but drew attention to a number of barriers, both cultural and technical, to achieving this goal. The group’s first briefing on this issue (No. 29 – A Shock to the System) was extremely well received and all its recommendations have since been adopted by government. A subsequent overview that identified the urgent need for cultural change and effective leadership within the civil service was also well received and, assisted by dialogue with OGC and OEE, its recommendation have also been implemented. Additional briefings have been instrumental in alerting policy makers to specific problem areas within the modernising government agenda.

Relevant EURIM Briefings: 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37

EURIM is helping to change the legislative scrutiny process

The recent Communications Bill was the vehicle for a pioneering approach to the consultation process. The Bill was published in draft form, a Joint Pre-legislative Scrutiny Committee was set up, and comment invited both electronically and formally. Information and developments were made available through websites, so the process was transparent and accessible. As a result of previous work providing balanced and informed input to government, EURIM was invited to produce recommendations on how to improve the pre-legislative scrutiny process. Inputs were made both on consultation policy and on the drafting process, where the practical effects of some legislation, and its interpretation in court, was very different to that envisaged by Ministers. By being a part of the evolving process of pre-legislative scrutiny, EURIM continues to influence the way in which policy is implemented.

EURIM cuts across departmental and organisational silos

By providing direct contact in informal and informed environments, EURIM has been instrumental in bringing together officials and civil servants who would not otherwise have the opportunity to meet, competitors who would not otherwise be seen in the same room, and organisations from different ends of the business spectrum. EURIM provides a confidential forum for information exchange between them, and allows consensus to be reached which in normal circumstances would not be even a remote possibility.

EURIM has conferred competitive advantage on members by keeping them abreast of developments

Through effective networking and information sharing EURIM has helped to educate its members – alerting them to potential risks, identifying alternative solutions, and debunking myths. By so doing millions of pounds have been saved. One participant saved over £½m by threatening to quote a suppliers’ contractual practices to the observer from the Office of Fair Trade. Several saved six and seven figures on their Y2K projects as a result of similar information sharing and many others have avoided costly mistakes.