NEW GOVERNMENT DECISSIONS

Prime Minister-elect Mariano Rajoy announced yesterday that he will freeze public-sector jobs, move all public holidays to Mondays, stop early retirements and cut the deficit by 16.5 billion euros as part of his grand plan to move Spain out of its deep economic crisis.

These are some of the biggest pledges the Popular Party (PP) leader made for the next four years during his investiture speech, which was delivered to Congress on Monday morning.

The only increase in spending, he said, would be in pensions, which will be brought up to date with the consumer price index from January 1.

The future prime minister, who has kept the plans of his incoming government close to his chest since winning the general elections on November 20, predicted that Spain's exit from the crisis would be guaranteed by the cuts, as well as by fulfilling the country's commitments to Europe. The austerity drive introduced by the outgoing government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero involved savings of just 10 billion euros.

"I am willing to hear proposals from everybody but I think that the priorities should be to concentrate on economic growth and job creation," Rajoy said.

Socialist leader Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba warned that the new PP government would be making drastic cuts in the public welfare system and social policies.

"So when are we going to get the bad news?" Rubalcaba said during the debate. The Socialist leader accused Rajoy of "knowing where the cuts" will be made but declining for now to say where.

Rajoy has made cutting the country's public deficit one of the main pillars of his mandate. He said the country may miss its target of cutting the shortfall to 6 percent of GDP this year from 9.3 percent last year, but insisted the goal of reducing it to 4.4 percent of GDP next year would be met.

In his 84-minute speech to Congress, Rajoy said he would carry out state reforms to avoid duplications, reduce costs and improve efficiency. This will include a freeze on all public-sector jobs except for those in "state security forces and basic public services."

Rajoy also pledged not to raise taxes at the current time. But he said he would reform the manner in which small businesses and the self-employed pay value-added tax (VAT).

Source: EL PAIS

ORIHUELA TOWNHALL ANNOUNCES DEMOLITIONS OF ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS

The councilors of the Town Planning department, Antonio Zapata & Antonia Moreno, respectively, have announced the new notification model for any illegal construction, which warns owners the obligation to return the property to their original state before illegal construction commenced, or to have it emolished.

Moreno has insisted that any work that is not licensed will be subject to the “pickaxe” once all the guaranteed judicial terms have been offered to the offender.” The Deputy Mayor also pointed out that this decision is in strict accordance with the law.

In the new document to be forwarded to those persons who commit any urban violation from this day, November 15, it calls for the restitution of land to its natural state, with the demolition of the part of the illegal construction already built, and warns that in case of not meeting this rule, you risk a penalty, regardless of the fine for violations ranging between 600 and 3,000 Euros. In case of failure to carry out the demolition, it will be accomplished by the Town Hall at the expense of offending owner.

The new notification also warns that companies supplying electricity, water, gas and telephone will be asked to terminate these services to illegal buildings. Offending parties should also know from today that the Town Hall shall inform the Fiscal Ministry (prosecutors) of each illegal situation, so that they will act accordingly applying a wide range of criminal and administrative penalties.

The Planning Councilor explained that “we need cut off point in the disorder of illegal constructions, because it leads to an unmanageable situation for the Town Hall.” This has been added to the already launched “regularization of property plan” and that in the “the General Plan (PGOU) is seeking urban land in the out lying districts” so that “from now on there is no excuse” .

Moreno finished the statement that from now on, she is willing “to enforce the law until the end”, while she assured that the announced measures will be implemented from tomorrow onwards.

Source: http://expatsolutions.wordpress.com/

A CALL TO PAY TAX OFFICE DEBTS

From December 1st, the Spanish Tax Office is going to have the phone number 901 200 345 in order to pay debts equal or lower than 18,000€. By this process the taxpayer can give them a bank account number and the Tax Office will make the charge there.

Althought this payment way is not going to be able for companies, self employed people (autónomos) can use it.

By this method you also can pay those debts that your supplier has with the Tax Office in case that Hacienda contacted you (your supplier's clients) to receive the payment in behalf of the supplier in order to cancel their debts. So in this way no more payment letter applications are needed.

FREE BUSINESS REGISTRATION

Are you looking to set up your own business after the Summer? Are you considering the option of being self employed as a new challenge in your life or just as an escape way for the actual labour market situation?

In VP ADVISERS we want to help you in your new stage. We are the only business office in Orihuela Costa registered at the Industry, Tourism and Commerce Ministery as PAIT in order to offer FREE BUSINESS REGISTRATION to all that persons that are looking for a new business life.

But we are not stopping there, we are also offering low quotas in accountancy, business and personal taxation, wills, conveyancing and more other services in order to help you.

If you are considering the idea of setting up a new business why do not give us a visit?

Our office is based at:

Commercial Centre La Mosca
1st floor above Supercor
Orihuela Costa
965327714
vpadvisers@gmail.com

3rd QUARTER TAXES

Now is the time to present the 3rd Quarter taxes declarations. Do not wait until the last moment and bring us the quarter's invoices.

We want to remind you that next week October 12 is the Spain's National Day and as bank holiday, our office will be closed.

SPANISH "BAN" FOR ROMANIAN WORKERS

The European Commission adopted a defensive stance on 26th July, saying that Spain could introduce restrictive measures against Romanian workers "under exceptional circumstances". The EU executive said Spain had no legal right to impose such a ban.

Asked about controversial Spanish plans to ban Romanian workers on the Spanish job market from August, a Commission spokesperson retracted from previous statements according to which Madrid could not legally impose such limitations.

Chantal Hugues, spokesperson for Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier, said that Spain could impose such limitations under exceptional circumstances. She said the EU executive had received a letter from the Spanish authorities outlining their concerns, which it was studying.

In fact, Spain was among the first countries to fully open its job market to the EU's latest newcomers, Romania and Bulgaria.

However, as a consequence of the crisis, Spain now has the highest unemployment rate in Europe (over 20%) and is considering imposing restrictions on its job market. As Romanian workers in Spain are more numerous, the planned restrictions do not concern Bulgaria.

Madrid has now informed the Commission on statistics regarding Romanian workers on its soil and hopes that restrictions could be impose as early as from August.

As the measure by Madrid is unprecedented, the EU executive has recognised that it finds itself in new territory. Reportedly, the restrictions to be imposed by Madrid would concern only new arrivals of workers. Also, the tourist traffic would not be affected, as the Romanians are free to visit any EU country for a stay of up to three months.

According to some reports, the measures to be put in place by Madrid could inspire other EU countries to impose limitations to their job market to citizens from Bulgaria and Romania. The Netherlands already announced that it would grant Bulgarians and Romanians as well as foreigners from outside the EU a work permit in the Netherlands under "exceptional cases".

SUMMER OPENING HOURS

During August, our opening hours will be:

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

9:30 - 15:00h

Have a nice Summer!

WORK PERMITS FOR ROMANIANS

Romanians will need work permits and contracts in order to work in Spain, the government in Madrid has announced.

The move, which will come into force in the coming days, is supposed to curb the flow of workers from the eastern European country to ease pressure on Spain's job market. The Spanish government decided to restrict the access of Romanian nationals because of the country's high unemployment rate (20%).

The government said the restrictions would not apply to Romanians already working in Spain, but it remains unclear what will happen if and when their contracts end. Under the new restrictions, Romanians will need a work permit and a work contract before they can enter Spain.

A European Commission spokeswoman confirmed that the Commission had received a letter from Spain explaining its decision. She said the Commission would analyse whether the move was in line with EU rules on free movement.

July 22nd Orihuela fiesta day

We want to inform you that on next Friday, July 22nd, our office will be closed due to the Orihuela public holiday.

OPENING HOURS IN SUMMER

Dear clients, due to the Summer time, our opening hours on Friday in July and August will be the following:

FROM 9:30h TO 14:00h

We wish you a nice Summer.