In the ‘Europe 2020 Agenda’ the EU has a strategic plan to build a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. Looking past current crises, we should re-focus on these long term goals.

Europe’s main strategy plan for growth identifies feasible improvements to employment, innovation, education, social inclusion and climate/energy. Sir Tony Atkinson argues that these collective goals give European countries an advantage over competitors – yet this key Agenda is in danger of being overlooked in debates about austerity, growth and the future of the Euro.