Extension to pension contribution period now excluded

The Government has excluded the proposal to raise the contribution period for pensions from 15 years to 25 years in its submission to the European Commission. The Government now says that the 10 year extension idea was merely a ‘simulation’ which was misinterpreted as a proposal.

Proposed changes to pensions

The Government wants to not only raise the retirement age to 67 years, but also increase the contribution period used for the calculation of pensions from the current 15 years to 25 years.

Help for Haiti to combat illegal trafficking in orphans

In yet another sad indictment of the world today, Spain is to provide Haiti with a genetic identification program to help combat the traffic in children in the wake of the devastating earthquake earlier this month.

Unemployment could hit 20% in 2010

After the publication of employment, or unemployment figures for 2009, the Government now says that a figure of 20% is not out of the question during 2010.

Proposal to increase retirement age

Hot on the heels of a report showing that, before too long, almost 32% of the population of Spain will be aged over 64 years, the Government is putting forward a proposal to amend the retirement age. The current retirement age is 65 years.

Unemployment in Andalucia at 26.33%

Figures just released show that unemployment in 2009 rose by 1,118,600, an increase of 34.87% on 2008 and the total number of people out of work now stands at 4,326,500, or 18.43%.

Unemployment 2009

The year ended with 3,923,603 people unemployed, the December figures being an increase of 1.4% (54,657) on the previous month.

New Road Traffic Act

The new Road Traffic Act comes into force tomorrow and it sees the number of offences for which points are deducted from the driving licence reduced from 27 to 20 instances.

Real Madrid go top

Real Madrid move to the top of La Liga after a 1-0 victory over Racing Santander, Higuaín scoring the only goal of the match midway through the first half.