Skip to content
OPINION (2024/2019(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of Commission for the financial year 2023

EMPL-AD-765076

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: Romana Tomc

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull textProcedure & committee votes
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs opinion on the 2023 budget discharge calls for monitoring EU funds, reducing error rates, and supporting cohesion policy and ESF+.

Committee position. The committee proposes that the lead committee incorporate these suggestions into its motion for a resolution on discharge for the 2023 budget.

Key points

  1. Welcomes the Court of Auditors' declaration that the 2023 accounts are fair, but calls for full use of tools to address risks to EU values and rule of law.
  2. Stresses the importance of cohesion policy and ESF+ in supporting the European Pillar of Social Rights and its targets, and calls for continued support and involvement of regional actors.
  3. Welcomes the European Year of Skills, launched on 9 May 2023, to boost competitiveness and support green and digital transitions.
  4. Notes with concern the record high of EUR 543 billion in outstanding commitments by end of 2023, but expects a decrease in 2024-2026.
  5. Concerned about the 9.3% error rate for cohesion spending in 2023, up from 6.4% in 2022, and calls for urgent action to reduce errors.
  6. Concerned about forecast decommitments of EUR 2.2 billion for cohesion funds in 2024-2027, and asks the Commission to help improve absorption.
  7. Notes that high inflation (6.4%) could reduce the budget's purchasing power by about 13% by end of 2025.
  8. Acknowledges progress on internalising crèche staff and asks for continued efforts for good working conditions and contractual stability.
  9. Asks the Commission to implement all outstanding Court of Auditors' recommendations as soon as possible.

Who is affected

  • The Commission, member states, and regional actors involved in implementing EU funds, especially ESF+ and cohesion policy.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 543 billion in outstanding commitments by end of 2023.
  • 9.3% error rate for cohesion spending in 2023, compared with 6.4% in 2022.
  • EUR 2.2 billion forecast decommitments for cohesion funds in 2024-2027.
  • 6.4% inflation rate affecting the Union budget.
  • About 13% loss of purchasing power by end of 2025.