European Parliament
Regina Bastos  (PPE ),
in writing.
(PT)
Access to basic payment services is one of the preconditions for consumers to benefit from,
inter alia
, the internal market, particularly freedom of movement, the purchase of goods and services, and the use of
-commerce. As such, Parliament has drafted this own-initiative report, which makes recommendations to the Commission and requests that it evaluate the current situation in the Member States as regards accessing basic banking services, as well as a proposal for a Directive on this issue by January 2013. Access to basic payment services is also key to social inclusion in terms of accessing jobs, health care and housing. Around 7% of the European population – 30 million people – do not have access to any bank account. It is crucial that the EU take concrete steps to change this situation and contribute to bringing an end to this form of social exclusion. That being the case, and since I agree that the current situation could be an obstacle to the European public’s full social integration, I am voting for this report.

