33 - Towards a Digital Single Market Act

I support the calls within this report for ambitious, targeted actions to complete Europe’s Digital Single Market, including an end to unjustified geo-blocking practices, promotion of e-skills for young people, and an e-government action plan in public administrations. Furthermore we welcome the calls for the Commission and Member States to support the further development of the sharing economy and an innovation-friendly policy towards online platforms. Finally, I believe the approach to copyright and portability included in the final report is well balanced. However, I strongly oppose the endorsement of the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB), which is not relevant to the DSM and has no place in this report, and the Conservative Delegation and the ECR Group will continue to oppose its introduction. In addition we do not support the harmonisation of spectrum allocation, whilst we do recognise the benefits of increased coordination, nor do we support extending the scope of the Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive to include online platforms as called for in the report. These votes were all roll called. Despite these reservations, I voted in favour of the report given our strong support for the digital single market and the significant opportunities it brings.