Fiscal rules and the fiscal framework are proving to be as challenging for Rachel Reeves as for Jeremy Hunt, yet both are reluctant to change what many regard as a deeply flawed structure. My musings for UK in a Changing Europe on this week's Mais lecture... LSE European Institute

Busy day for publications. If you have wondered what performance-based budgeting & mainstreaming are about, and how they relate to the EU budget, the output of the first phase of our study for the European Parliament is now out: europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes… Comments welcome LSE European Institute

And I am about to contribute to a Belgian EU Presidency event in Brussels on how to integrate ideas on the EU social taxonomy and social tracking into EU policies. A key element is DNSH - which means do no significant harm. Can it serve as a useful norm? LSE European Institute

Looking forward to the DEF next week and to the privilege of moderating two panels of distinguished speakers on, respectively: the new EU economic governance framework; and what next for monetary policy. LSE European Institute

Just out, my essay for CER with thanks to Sander Tordoir and colleagues for editing suggestions cer.eu/insights/dilem…. Key message is that kicking the can down the road can no longer be the answer, especially if a 'big bang' EU enlargement is a realistic prospect. LSE European Institute

Ah, the handbag: those were the days...! It worked, though, as the UK rebate was negotiated in 1984 and stayed through successive rounds of negotiations of the EU's multiannual financial framework right up to Brexit, despite minor concessions by the Blair government.

Challenging questions for the panels I'm moderating this p.m. on EU economic governance and 'what next for monetary policy' at DEF. Great speakers: Marco Buti, Joaquin Almunia, Gediminas Simkus of Lietuvos bankas, Eleni Louri and Dejan Soskic. Online or live. LSE European Institute

Professor Iain Begg commented on the mayoral shut down of the National Conservatism Conference in Brussels on LBC News. Listen here 🎧👇 redirect.vuelio.co.uk/BroadcastV2?da…

Another example of the bodged implementation of Brexit. The checks are neither comprehensive nor easily understood and could add a little to food prices - just when hopes of a fall in inflation were rising.

Could better fiscal frameworks be part of the solution to shortcomings in European competitiveness? Our piece for EconPol Europe special issue. cesifo.org/en/publication… In particular, should some form of golden rule be revived and on what basis? LSE European Institute UK in a Changing Europe

The EU will soon start the protracted process leading towards its next multi-annual budgetary settlement. Can it break out of the status quo trap that has bedevilled previous deals since 1988? My four propositions for change in this piece for Encompass Plausible? LSE European Institute

Ever wondered what all the fuss is about fiscal rules, why the Office for Budget Responsibility looms so large in budget decisions in the UK and what the German debt brake does? Daniel Cicak and I offer answers in this explainer for UK in a Changing Europe ukandeu.ac.uk/?p=57552&post_… Both systems could be better LSE European Institute

Yes, the far right secured more seats in the new European Parliament, but right-left is not the only critical dimension. The 4 broadly pro-European groupings have done rather better than expected, winning 63% of the seats. That may be the more important conclusion to draw.

Lively debate with Raymond Torres of Funcas on how to reform the EU budget. The catch-22 is that while most interlocutors agree on the need for reform, they resist changes critical to achieving it. Thanks to Carlos Carnicero Urabayen for summarising funcas.es/articulos/navi… LSE European Institute

My responses (and those of Zach Meyers) to questions about the UK and Europe after the election: a largely neglected topic during the campaigns. Rather downbeat: not much likely to change soon, except maybe the tone of relations blocs.kessel.media/posts/pst_1f54… LSE European Institute

Looking forward to speaking, in distinguished company, at the OMFIF panel this evening at the @icaew on revitalising the economy and sorting out our infrastructure post election. Defining what has to change is the easier bit, agreeing solutions is harder LSE European Institute

Good exchanges with László Andor in this FEPS podcast. We also explored ideas for the future of the EU budget and the wider 'galaxy' of EU funding mechanisms, among other challenges the new EU leadership needs to confront with some urgency. LSE European Institute LSE

My five cents' worth on what the new UK government might expect from the EPC meeting this week, as collected by Alice Tidey for euronews UK aims for EU relations need to be ambitious, conceivably including reengagement with the European Investment Bank euronews.com/my-europe/2024… LSE European Institute LSE

Now would be the optimal time for Rachel Reeves to recast the UK fiscal framework, to deal with its evident shortcomings (documented by, among others, Olly Bartrum Ben Zaranko ... and yours truly). Insights could come from Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. LSE European Institute UK in a Changing Europe

The early success of the European Political Community meeting and the PM's visits to Berlin and Paris last week have reinforced the change of tone in UK-EU relations. My thoughts for China Xinhua News: english.news.cn/20240902/17d40… Can we now expect more substantive change? LSE European Institute LSE