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Small firms have been hard hit by the economic crisis, and so must be given incentives and support, including easier access to credit, help with innovation, tax breaks and less red tape, MEPs on Parliament's Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis (CRIS), and experts agreed at a workshop on Monday.

Europeans are on average broadly satisfied with their personal situation, but less satisfied when it comes to the economy, public services and social policies in their country, according to an opinion survey. The Eurobarometer on the social climate in the EU also found large differences between countries, with people in the Nordic countries and the Netherlands generally most satisfied with their personal situation.

In December 2009 compared with November 2009, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.1% in the euro area (EA16) and remained stable in the EU27. In November, prices increased by 0.2% in both zones.

The euro area (EA16) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.0% in December 2009, compared with 9.9% in November. It was 8.2% in December 2008. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.6% in December 2009, compared with 9.5% in November. It was 7.6% in December 2008. For the euro area this is the highest rate since August 1998 and for the EU27 since the start of the series in January 2000.

In the third quarter of 2009, the annual growth rate of net disposable income in the euro area equalled -3.2%, compared with -4.8% in the second quarter of 2009. Final consumption in the euro area continued to decrease in the third quarter (-0.2% annually, after -0.3% in the previous quarter). The annual growth rate of gross fixed capital formation was -12.0% in the third quarter of 2009, against -13.5% in the previous quarter. In the third quarter of 2009, the annual growth rate of net saving was -43.0%, up from -63.5% in the second quarter.

In November 2009 the working day and seasonally adjusted current account of the euro area was balanced. In the financial account, combined direct and portfolio investment recorded net outflows of EUR 15 billion (non-seasonally adjusted).

On 1 January 2010, the total number of monetary financial institutions (MFIs) in the euro area stood at 8,076. This comes down to a net decrease of 274 units (3.3%) in comparison with the situation one year ago. The decline was spread across the whole euro area. On 1 January 2010, there were 10,192 MFIs in the European Union (EU), a net decrease of 284 units as compared with the year before.

In the third quarter of 2009, in both the euro area (EA16) and the EU27, the seasonally adjusted household saving rate decreased and the household investment rate was almost unchanged. In both zones, the business investment rate and the profit share grew.

In January, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) rose for the tenth successive month and stood at 97.1 (+2.1 points) in the EU and 95.7 (+1.6) in the euro area. Thus, although the rebound appears to be slowing, the indicator is now back at a level approaching its long-term average in both areas.

The European Union has formalised its support for the Copenhagen Accord on climate change and presented its commitments for emission reduction targets. In a joint letter with the Spanish Presidency of the Council, the European Commission has formally notified the EU's willingness to be associated with the Accord and submitted for information the EU's established greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for 2020. These consist of a unilateral commitment to reduce the EU's overall emissions by 20% of 1990 levels and a conditional offer to increase this cut to 30% provided that other major emitters agree to take on their fair share of a global reduction effort. Under the Accord, notifications are to be submitted by 31 January 2010.