Nine months after the liberalization of the electricity tariff came into force (1st July 2009), the savings that consumers can make is virtually negligible.
According to a study by the National Energy Commission (Comisión Nacional de la Energía), the most competitive deals offer savings of only between 8€ and 23€ per year for the Tarifa de Último Recurso (TUR) (Rate of Last Resort), the maximum rate set by the government.
Savings of 67€ per year can be found in the case of special deals offered by companies supplying gas and electricity together.
The conclusions of this survey also shows that an average consumer on a domestic rate of 5.5 kilowatts (kW) pays 1287€ per year.
For this study, the energy regulator has taken up the offers available in the market between 1 and 7 February. In November, when the NEC conducted the previous comparison, the average saving was 22€ per year.
The biggest savings for domestic customers of 5.5 kW is obtained with HC Energía formerly known as Energy HidroCantábrico, with an average annual price of 1264€. This offer is more competitive than those of Iberdrola and Endesa, exceeding 1,350 euros per year, but they offer 100% renewable warranty or free services to home care and emergency repairs.
Moreover, the best deals on the market for domestic consumers of gas means saving between 8 and 17 euros per year.
Monday, 8 March 2010
More British than Spanish believe that - A Womans Place is in the Home
According to a joint international survey prepared by Ipsos Public Affairs and Reuters, published on the 7th March on the eve of the International Day of Working Women;
More British than Spanish believe that - 'A Womans Place is in the Home'
In Great Britain 22% of the population agree with the statement whilst in Spain only 12%.
Looking on the positive side it idicates that 88% of the Spanish did not agree with the statement whilst it is only 78% in Great Britain, both of which are above the 74% average for the World.
The countries with higher percentages of citizens who are in disagreement with the statement are Argentina, France and Mexico, each reaching 91% with Sweden and Brazil attaining 90% each. The Germans with 86%, the Belgians 84%, the Polish 82% and the Italians coming in at 81%, are close to the Spanish, but all way ahead of the British.
At the other end of the scale are countries like Hungary (34%), Russia (34%), China (34%), Japan (48%), India (54%) and Turkey (54%) are those which people are more in agreement that a woman's place is in the home.
John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos said
The survey was carried out in 23 Countries and included 24,000 adults over the age of 18.
Reuters
More British than Spanish believe that - 'A Womans Place is in the Home'
In Great Britain 22% of the population agree with the statement whilst in Spain only 12%.
Looking on the positive side it idicates that 88% of the Spanish did not agree with the statement whilst it is only 78% in Great Britain, both of which are above the 74% average for the World.
The countries with higher percentages of citizens who are in disagreement with the statement are Argentina, France and Mexico, each reaching 91% with Sweden and Brazil attaining 90% each. The Germans with 86%, the Belgians 84%, the Polish 82% and the Italians coming in at 81%, are close to the Spanish, but all way ahead of the British.
At the other end of the scale are countries like Hungary (34%), Russia (34%), China (34%), Japan (48%), India (54%) and Turkey (54%) are those which people are more in agreement that a woman's place is in the home.
John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos said
"This poll has a fundamental expression embraced by a full majority that women, individually or otherwise, should have the ability to choose to do what and where they believe they can make their greatest contribution"
The survey was carried out in 23 Countries and included 24,000 adults over the age of 18.
Reuters
Bulldozing expats will hurt Spain, Foreign Office minister cautions
Chris Bryant, Minister for Europe, warned Spain on Sunday that knocking down British expatriates’ houses was hurting its economy, and that the country was undermining efforts to create a recovery in its beleaguered housing market.
Speaking yesterday during a visit to south-eastern Spain to meet British expatriates who have been told that their homes will be bulldozed after Spanish authorities declared their construction illegal, he said “The housing market in Spain is not going to recover quickly if pictures of bulldozers knocking down expats’ homes are appearing in British newspapers. Everyone I’ve spoken to in Spain says they want to find a solution but wanting a solution and getting one are two different things.”
He is quoted as saying “Obviously it’s not for the British Government to tell the Spanish what to do. But I’m pushing the message hard at all government levels that I meet here that they have got to put political willpower into these problems, whether it’s an amnesty, whether it’s a change in the law, whatever the solution is that is needed".
Wake up Mr Bryant; the difference between wanting a solution and getting one here in Spain is just a case of haggling over the amount of the back-hander to be paid.
All of us that live here in Spain know that the local, regional and national government in Spain is controlled by curruption. Money is power!
Bulldozing expats will hurt Spain, Foreign Office minister cautions - Telegraph
Speaking yesterday during a visit to south-eastern Spain to meet British expatriates who have been told that their homes will be bulldozed after Spanish authorities declared their construction illegal, he said “The housing market in Spain is not going to recover quickly if pictures of bulldozers knocking down expats’ homes are appearing in British newspapers. Everyone I’ve spoken to in Spain says they want to find a solution but wanting a solution and getting one are two different things.”
He is quoted as saying “Obviously it’s not for the British Government to tell the Spanish what to do. But I’m pushing the message hard at all government levels that I meet here that they have got to put political willpower into these problems, whether it’s an amnesty, whether it’s a change in the law, whatever the solution is that is needed".
Wake up Mr Bryant; the difference between wanting a solution and getting one here in Spain is just a case of haggling over the amount of the back-hander to be paid.
All of us that live here in Spain know that the local, regional and national government in Spain is controlled by curruption. Money is power!
Bulldozing expats will hurt Spain, Foreign Office minister cautions - Telegraph
No more Toros for Benidorm
The title of the article in the E.W.N gives one the hope that at least the barbaric act of torture of the bulls has stopped for humane reasons, but no it's purely for money or lack of it would be more accurate.
Euro Weekly News | No more Toros for Benidorm | Costa Blanca | News
Euro Weekly News | No more Toros for Benidorm | Costa Blanca | News
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Euro Weekly News article 'Orihuela school children do their bit for the environment' is a load of 'Utter Tosh'
The Euro Weekly News in this week's edition has an article entitled 'Orihuela school children do their bit for the environment' which refers to the planting of trees in the PAU 26 area of Orihuela Costa.
It's a load of 'Utter Tosh'.
The article is another PP propaganda story, perpetuated by the EWN, which is callously using school children.
The article states that
Wrong!!!
The primary reason for the residents being at the tree planting was to see that the PP Council honoured it's pledge given to the residents, when it finally closed the illegal tip on the PAU 26 site. that 'All refuse will be cleared from the PA 26 green zone and that the land will be restored to it's previous natural state, with the replanting of pine trees and plants'. There will hopefully be a benefit, all be it minimal, to fight against global warming but this was not foremost in the residents minds.
I don't doubt that the children involved at the planting ('70 pupils aged 3 to 6 years from the Colegio Publico Playas de Orihuela School') thought that they were there for environmental reasons as this is the doctrine given to them by their teachers on behalf of the PP, in order to get the support of the children's parents.
The article goes on to say
The truth is that the replanting of the trees in PAU 26 is because of the destruction of the area by the refuse collection contractors, appointed by the PP Council, operating an 'illegal tip' on this site, with the full knowledge of the council, for many years.
The PP propaganda machine might be able to foul the EWN but it doesn't foul those who fought for the closure of the tip.
Post Script: Or the Round Town News
It's a load of 'Utter Tosh'.
The article is another PP propaganda story, perpetuated by the EWN, which is callously using school children.
The article states that
Orihuela - RESIDENTS are doing their bit in the fight against global warming with the plantation of 300 new pine trees.......... in the PAU 26 area of Orihuela Costa.
Wrong!!!
The primary reason for the residents being at the tree planting was to see that the PP Council honoured it's pledge given to the residents, when it finally closed the illegal tip on the PAU 26 site. that 'All refuse will be cleared from the PA 26 green zone and that the land will be restored to it's previous natural state, with the replanting of pine trees and plants'. There will hopefully be a benefit, all be it minimal, to fight against global warming but this was not foremost in the residents minds.
I don't doubt that the children involved at the planting ('70 pupils aged 3 to 6 years from the Colegio Publico Playas de Orihuela School') thought that they were there for environmental reasons as this is the doctrine given to them by their teachers on behalf of the PP, in order to get the support of the children's parents.
The article goes on to say
The project forms part of a reforestation plan for the area, following many years of development by construction companies.
The truth is that the replanting of the trees in PAU 26 is because of the destruction of the area by the refuse collection contractors, appointed by the PP Council, operating an 'illegal tip' on this site, with the full knowledge of the council, for many years.
The PP propaganda machine might be able to foul the EWN but it doesn't foul those who fought for the closure of the tip.
Post Script: Or the Round Town News
Four in 10 retirees want to live abroad
Harry Wallop in the Daily Telegraph reports that 'Four out of 10 people approaching retirement are considering moving abroad, a Government-commissioned survey has indicated. Around 42 per cent of people aged over 55 said they were thinking of relocating overseas, with 38 per cent considering doing so within the next five years, according to the survey of a 1,000 people undertaken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'.
In the article the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Chris Bryant is quoted as saying "In the excitement of making plans for a future in the sun, people don't always think about the possible downsides or the problems that can occur".
Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Europe and Consular Affairs at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, will be meeting British residents this weekend in Torrevieja, in the Alicante region of Spain.
Read the full article: Four in 10 retirees want to live abroad - Telegraph
Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for Europe and Consular Affairs at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, will be meeting British residents this weekend in Torrevieja, in the Alicante region of Spain.
Read the full article: Four in 10 retirees want to live abroad - Telegraph
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Laws on mobility vehicles to be tightened
Laws on mobility vehicles to be tightened - Telegraph
Better late than never. There are too many users of mobility scooters who are either incapable of controlling them correctly, or don't give a dam for the safety of pedestrians, believing that they (scooter users) have a superior right of way!
Unfortunately it's the same old story of an inconsiderate minority necessitating action to be taken against all scooter users to protect the public.
It is important that those persons with mobility disabilities have a means of independent movement/travel thereby giving the facility for a fuller dignity of life. But not at the threat of the safety to other members of the public, using the pathways, highways, or other public areas, or infringement upon their quality of life.
There has to be an acknowledgement of the liability to the protection of the public, both physically and financially, in the case of accidents, by mobility vehicle users. Every other motorised vehicle has controls placed upon the both the vehicle and the user and mobility scooters must be treated the same.
p.s. 04.03.2010
Interesting comments added to this article 'Got a mobility scooter? Then you'll need to take a 'fitness to drive' test' in the Mail
Better late than never. There are too many users of mobility scooters who are either incapable of controlling them correctly, or don't give a dam for the safety of pedestrians, believing that they (scooter users) have a superior right of way!
Unfortunately it's the same old story of an inconsiderate minority necessitating action to be taken against all scooter users to protect the public.
It is important that those persons with mobility disabilities have a means of independent movement/travel thereby giving the facility for a fuller dignity of life. But not at the threat of the safety to other members of the public, using the pathways, highways, or other public areas, or infringement upon their quality of life.
There has to be an acknowledgement of the liability to the protection of the public, both physically and financially, in the case of accidents, by mobility vehicle users. Every other motorised vehicle has controls placed upon the both the vehicle and the user and mobility scooters must be treated the same.
p.s. 04.03.2010
Interesting comments added to this article 'Got a mobility scooter? Then you'll need to take a 'fitness to drive' test' in the Mail
British Citizens living abroad can vote in the UK General Election
If you are a 'British Citizen' living abroad you can vote in UK General Elections due to be held at any time between now and the 3rd June 2010. If you haven't already done so you need to register now as an 'Overseas voter' to be eligible to vote.
Visit the Electoral Commission's 'about my vote' website to download a registration form and find out more information.
Visit the Electoral Commission's 'about my vote' website to download a registration form and find out more information.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
How con men exploit expats
Another excellent article by Anna Nicholas.
How con men exploit expats - Telegraph Blogs
Why is it that so many Expats (excluding my neighbours and friends of course) act like holiday makers and leave, or reduce to half power, their brains at the airport or ferry terminal?
There are so many expats who are reportedly retired airline pilots, financial advisors, or were drivers for the Kray brothers, and the such like. The expat community is seed bed for 'Grey' lies (to be compassionate) for people's past achievements!
As an aside shouldn't it be con-persons to be PC? There have been some very unscrupulous female con-merchants.
Let's not forget the 'Property Reps'!
How con men exploit expats - Telegraph Blogs
Why is it that so many Expats (excluding my neighbours and friends of course) act like holiday makers and leave, or reduce to half power, their brains at the airport or ferry terminal?
There are so many expats who are reportedly retired airline pilots, financial advisors, or were drivers for the Kray brothers, and the such like. The expat community is seed bed for 'Grey' lies (to be compassionate) for people's past achievements!
As an aside shouldn't it be con-persons to be PC? There have been some very unscrupulous female con-merchants.
Let's not forget the 'Property Reps'!
No substance to claims of bullying campaign against Christians
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has commented on a speech by Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, in which he argued that there was a “strident and bullying” campaign against Christians in the UK.
No substance to claims of bullying campaign against Christians
No substance to claims of bullying campaign against Christians
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