21/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - Belgian Minister for Social Affairs, Johan Vande Lanotte considers that the new regulation on aid for job creation could have damaging repercussions on Belgian policy, which is particularly active in this domain. Even before adoption of the regulation (see EUROPE 7 November p 13), Belgian Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt expressed his fears in a letter to President Prodi. "What we find disturbing in these new rules, is the competition dimension in the social sectors…It's extremely shocking", confirmed the Cabinet of Mr Vande Lanotte. Belgium has set up subsidies in all areas of work for the disabled and marginalised groups, to help them find a long term job. According to this new regulation, any aid should now be notified to the European authorities, points out the Vande Lanotte Cabinet, which also added that, "We are currently examining whether there is a legal means for attacking the European measures".