Spain’s cabinet has approved the creation of a national minimum income, according to a government spokesperson.
Deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias told a news conference on Friday the creation of a minimum income worth €462 (£416.92) a month will target some 850,000 households or 2.5 million people.
The government would pay the monthly stipend and top up existing revenue for people earning less so that they receive at least that minimum amount every month, he said.
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The minimum income would increase with the number of family members, up to a maximum of €1,015 (£916.30) each month. The programme would cost the government about €3 billion a year.
Mr Iglesias said: “Today is a historic day for our democracy. Today this government is showing that its political choice is social justice and that it takes the [Spanish] Constitution seriously.”
Proposals for a guaranteed minimum income scheme was first floated in December 2019, in which the Socialist Workers’ Party and the left-wing Unidas Podemos agree to create a “general mechanism to guarantee earnings for families with no or low income”.
According to English-language Spanish newspaper El Pais, the scheme was brought forward due to the coronavirus outbreak. The government announced the first details of the plan in April.
Individual claimants must be at least 21 years old and under 65 to be eligible, unless the claimant is a victim of abuse or human trafficking. Under such circumstances, the requirements do not apply.
Families must be defined as “vulnerable” in order to claim the minimum income, which means their monthly income is €10 or more below the minimum income, reported the newspaper.
wonderbreadofsin on May 29th, 2020 at 16:13 UTC »
All the comments seem to be talking like this is a UBI, but it sounds like welfare to me. They're topping up income to the lowest earners. Or did I misunderstand?
Jordidirector on May 29th, 2020 at 14:30 UTC »
Spaniard here, the idea is for the government to pay to the poorest families, a minimum quantity of money to keep them and their children from starving. The amount is not given to the individual but to the household/family unit and calculated by some factors including the number of children (to a maximum of 2). I feel like it could potentially cover food (after living in some non European countries I consider food to be really really cheap here) and public transportation but it wouldn't get you any place to rent, at least in the major cities although it might be enough in the small towns where unemployment is more prevalent.
In a very polarized political landscape at least 80% of the population is heavily in favour of such measures, and even the ultra right party has done a complete U-turn to support it (whereas some weeks ago they called it a Venezuela-like communist petty bribe).
Some other economic aids have been given during the quarentine and total lockdown and for a historic first time, self employed professionals (like myself) could get access to those benefits like common employees and workers do.
They have also announced tax rises to those earning more than 400.000 euros/year. It's easy to see that right wingers are extremely pissed and angry with these measures.
Electricpants on May 29th, 2020 at 13:56 UTC »
Good for you, Spain. I needed a little hope in humanity.