Spain: the government’s plan” “” “

The Spanish government approved a new Plan of support to the family for the three-year period 2001/2004 on 8 November. This Plan derives its origin from the need to tackle the major changes that have taken place in Spanish society in recent years. In particular the following changes should be noted: the growing presence of women in the labour market (from 1993 to the present day the percentage of women workers has risen from 34.5% to 40%); the phenomenon of the ageing of the population, which affects both the family and society; the drop in the birth-rate (between 1975 and 1995, annual births fell from 670,000 to 363,000); and lastly the growth of families with only one child. Below we summarize the contents of this Plan. Strategies. The Plan is aimed at continuing and improving fiscal and income policies to improve the prosperity of Spanish families: at improving and updating the social welfare contributions for dependent children (multiple births, third child); at developing policies for the home that may help families; at reviewing aspects of family law, in particular those connected with separation and divorce; at developing family guidance and mediation services to prevent situations of difficulty, tension and violence inside the family (aid to non government organizations that develop programmes of family support); and at promoting the diffusion of the new technologies in homes. The Plan lists 50 specific measures to help the family. Maternity. The Plan increases social security aid to help unemployed women return to work after maternity, and prescribes a reduction of company contributions for the assumption of unemployed mothers and fathers with dependent children. In addition, the tax regime will help mothers in the first three years of maternity, providing them with aid to cover extraordinary costs (kindergartens and baby sitters, creches at the workplace). These provisions represent a further effort on the part of the Spanish government to provide support to families; over the last five years the expenditure for maternity benefits has increased by 64,5%. The maximum income threshold to have a right to social security benefits for dependent children is also raised, and the right to the new family benefits for the birth of a child is also extended to those who adopt a child. Budgetary allocations. The Plan has not yet been defined in economic terms, since a good deal depends on how, and with what State instruments, the provisions recommended by the Plan be implemented. The budgetary allocations for 2001 have already been fixed, while for the following years an estimate has been made of the necessary finances, which will be allocated on a year by year basis. The objective of this Plan is to fix the government’s priorities and actions for the next three years 2002/2004: already from next year, as regards social security payouts, 57,985 million euros will be allocated to families for pensions and 1,735 million euros for maternity and other family allowances. Comments. The contents of the plan were discussed in the course of the national Congress of the family (“Family, hope of society”), which was held in Madrid from 16 to 18 November, promoted by the episcopal Commission for the family and life of the archdiocese of Madrid. The benefits aimed at non-married and single-parent families have aroused some disquiet. On the other hand, general appreciation has been expressed for the efforts being made by the government which, for the first time, is showing its determination to help families with children. But judgement is reserved until the government brings in specific measures and financial allocations to implement the Plan’s recommendations. P.L.