- Region
- Águilas
- Alhama de Murcia
- Jumilla
- Lorca
- Los Alcázares
- Mazarrón
- San Javier
-
ALL AREAS & TOWNS
- AREAS
- SOUTH WEST
- MAR MENOR
- MURCIA CITY & CENTRAL
- NORTH & NORTH WEST
- TOWNS
- Abanilla
- Abarán
- Aguilas
- Alamillo
- Alcantarilla
- Aledo
- Alhama de Murcia
- Archena
- Balsicas
- Blanca
- Bolnuevo
- Bullas
- Cañadas del Romero
- Cabo de Palos
- Calasparra
- Camping Bolnuevo
- Campo De Ricote
- Camposol
- Canada De La Lena
- Caravaca de la Cruz
- Cartagena
- Cehegin
- Ceuti
- Cieza
- Condado de Alhama
- Corvera
- Costa Cálida
- Cuevas De Almanzora
- Cuevas de Reyllo
- El Carmoli
- El Mojon
- El Molino (Puerto Lumbreras)
- El Pareton / Cantareros
- El Raso
- El Valle Golf Resort
- Fortuna
- Fuente Alamo
- Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
- Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
- Isla Plana
- Islas Menores & Mar de Cristal
- Jumilla
- La Azohia
- La Charca
- La Manga Club
- La Manga del Mar Menor
- La Pinilla
- La Puebla
- La Torre
- La Torre Golf Resort
- La Unión
- Las Palas
- Las Ramblas
- Las Ramblas Golf
- Las Torres de Cotillas
- Leiva
- Librilla
- Lo Pagan
- Lo Santiago
- Lorca
- Lorquí
- Los Alcázares
- Los Balcones
- Los Belones
- Los Canovas
- Los Nietos
- Los Perez (Tallante)
- Los Urrutias
- Los Ventorrillos
- Mar De Cristal
- Mar Menor
- Mar Menor Golf Resort
- Mazarrón
- Mazarrón Country Club
- Molina de Segura
- Moratalla
- Mula
- Murcia City
- Murcia Property
- Pareton
- Peraleja Golf Resort
- Perin
- Pilar de la Horadada
- Pinar de Campoverde
- Pinoso
- Playa Honda
- Playa Honda / Playa Paraíso
- Pliego
- Portmán
- Pozo Estrecho
- Puerto de Mazarrón
- Puerto Lumbreras
- Puntas De Calnegre
- Region of Murcia
- Ricote
- Roda Golf Resort
- Roldan
- Roldan and Lo Ferro
- San Javier
- San Pedro del Pinatar
- Santiago de la Ribera
- Sierra Espuña
- Sucina
- Tallante
- Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
- Torre Pacheco
- Totana
- What's On Weekly Bulletin
- Yecla
- EDITIONS: Spanish News Today Alicante Today Andalucia Today
Date Published: 27/12/2022
ARCHIVED - Spanish government finalises new crisis plan: fuel bonus is scrapped and VAT on food reduced
The new ‘social shield’ in Spain will likely eliminate the fuel discount but offer financial aid towards the price of groceries
The Spanish government is applying the finishing touches to its promised crisis plan designed to deal with the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Dubbed the ‘social shield’ (‘escudo social’) and due to be agreed upon on Tuesday December 27, the measures will involve a cash bonus to help vulnerable families with the rising cost of groceries and will see the 20 cent per litre fuel allowance scrapped for all but professional drivers.
The negotiations have already hit some stumbling blocks, with several of the political parties urging the government to increase the aid on offer. Although proposals to freeze rental prices and mortgage repayments appear to have been roundly rejected, the social shield will introduce a number of novel measures to help combat the rising cost of living.
Food prices
One of the biggest concessions is a VAT reduction on many staple grocery items. This tax is currently charged at two different rates: at the higher end of 10% for non-essentials, and this will be reduced to 5%; and at the reduced rate of 4% for basic necessities like milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, which will be further reduced to 0%, eliminating VAT altogether.
Another option being considered is a one-off cheque of 300 euros that could be used in supermarkets across Spain.
Current measures that will be extended
It’s been confirmed that the 2% limit for increasing rents will be maintained, as will the 15% increase in non-contributory pensions, as well as the reduction in taxes on gas and electricity.
In addition, the current legislation barring vulnerable families from being evicted and from having their electricity cut will be extended into 2023.
Fuel bonus
Arguably the most contentious issue off all, it looks increasingly likely that the universal 20 cent per litre discount on fuel will be eliminated, since the measure fails to benefit the most vulnerable. According to the Minister of Economy, Nadia Calviño, come January 1 this fuel bonus will probably only be offered to “the sectors that may be most affected”, such as professional drivers and the agriculture and livestock industries.
200 euros per month for families
The government will also provide a welcome 200-euro flat cheque for any families with children under 3 years old who have annual earnings of less than 27,000 euros and do not own assets worth more than 75,000 euros. This move, which is aimed at the least well off and neediest in Spanish society, is expected to help 4.3 million households.
Public transport
In addition, the Spanish government has promised to extend the free rail travel scheme for Cercanías, Rodalies and Media Distancia trains, as well as 50% off the price of a railcard for Avant trains.
On top of this, there will be free coach travel available in 2023 between certain Spanish cities, and the urban bus discounts of 30-50% will also be extended.
Help for businesses
As well as all these measures, which directly affect consumers and ordinary citizens living in Spain, the government will provide extra financial support for key struggling industries, including the agriculture sector and those manufacturers who rely heavily on gasoil or electricity.
Image: Archive
Loading
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Find more information by AREA, TOWN or URBANISATION .....
Cabo de Palos
Cartagena
El Carmoli
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Manga del Mar Menor
La Puebla
La Torre Golf Resort
La Union
Los Alcazares
Los Belones
Los Nietos
Los Urrutias
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Pilar de la Horadada
Playa Honda / Playa Paraiso
Portman
Roldan and Lo Ferro
San Javier
San Pedro del Pinatar
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
Torre Pacheco
Cartagena
El Carmoli
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Manga del Mar Menor
La Puebla
La Torre Golf Resort
La Union
Los Alcazares
Los Belones
Los Nietos
Los Urrutias
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Pilar de la Horadada
Playa Honda / Playa Paraiso
Portman
Roldan and Lo Ferro
San Javier
San Pedro del Pinatar
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
Torre Pacheco
Aguilas
Aledo
Alhama de Murcia
Bolnuevo
Camposol
Condado de Alhama
Fuente Alamo
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Lorca
Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto Lumbreras
Sierra Espuna
Totana
Aledo
Alhama de Murcia
Bolnuevo
Camposol
Condado de Alhama
Fuente Alamo
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Lorca
Mazarron
Puerto de Mazarron
Puerto Lumbreras
Sierra Espuna
Totana
Abanilla
Abaran
Alcantarilla
Archena
Blanca
Corvera
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Lorqui
Molina de Segura
Mosa Trajectum
Murcia City
Peraleja Golf Resort
Ricote
Sucina
Abaran
Alcantarilla
Archena
Blanca
Corvera
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Lorqui
Molina de Segura
Mosa Trajectum
Murcia City
Peraleja Golf Resort
Ricote
Sucina
Urbanisations
CamposolCondado de Alhama
El Valle Golf Resort
Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort
Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort
Islas Menores and Mar de Cristal
La Manga Club
La Torre Golf Resort
Mar Menor Golf Resort
Mazarron Country Club
Mosa Trajectum
Peraleja Golf Resort
Santa Rosalia Lake and Life resort
Terrazas de la Torre Golf Resort
La Zenia
Lomas de Cabo Roig
Important Topics:
CAMPOSOL TODAY Whats OnCartagena SpainCoronavirusCorvera Airport MurciaMurcia Gota Fria 2019Murcia property news generic threadWeekly Bulletin
CAMPOSOL TODAY Whats OnCartagena SpainCoronavirusCorvera Airport MurciaMurcia Gota Fria 2019Murcia property news generic threadWeekly Bulletin
Contact Murcia Today: Editorial 000 000 000 /
Office 000 000 000