Axarquia 24 - 30 November 2022 Issue 1951

Black Friday boom

Betty Henderson

THERE has been musical ma nia in Velez­Malaga as more than 100 musicians took to the stage for a charity con cert in aid of the Red Cross. The first edition of Axarkía Rocking musical festival was a striking success.

The concert was held dur ing the evening on Saturday November 19 in María Zam brano park in Velez­Malaga.

Over 100 musicians from various local groups includ ing the huge Municipal Band and Stella Maris choir from Torre del Mar, volunteered their services to put on a fantastic show. Attendees including the councillor for Social Rights and Equality, Víctor González, and the councillor for the Environ ment, Antonio Ariza praised the excellent music and charity focus of the event.

Concertgoers took to

Facebook to express their delight at the festival writ ing, “Here’s to many more years. This is undoubtedly the start of something huge.

Congratulations!”, and “I couldn’t have hoped for this event to go any better, and what a great space for it. You can tell the organisers

put their heart and soul into making this event in such a selfless way for a deserving charity. We can’t wait for the next one!!!”

The campaign will make the most of the Christmas shopping window by offering the discounts for a whole week in the ‘Black Week’ campaign.

The President of ACOS, Remedios Rico explained the cam paign aims to boost business in the run­up to Christmas while helping shoppers to prepare. Businesses have until November 25 to register for the scheme which will offer their business publicity and incentivise shoppers by subsidising discounts.

Rico explained that the campaign will also give shoppers the opportunity to win vouchers worth €100 each to use in local businesses over the festive period. Three vouchers will be raf fled off to lucky supporters who answer a phone call from ACOS with the correct phrase: ‘Comprar en un negocio al muñequero’ (Buy from Almuñecar businesses).

A MILESTONE moment in Rincon de La Victoria as the town becomes the first in the region to sign an agree ment with the Malaga Vet erinary College for the con trol of feral cats. The deal will prevent health prob lems from the uncontrolled breeding of stray cats.

The local mayor, Francis co Salado signed a deal with the President of Mala ga Veterinary College, Juan Antonio de Luque on Thursday November 17.

The collaboration will see the creation of a cat colony register, identification of feeding points, stray cat vaccination and sterilisa tion, as well as any other

necessary health treat ment.

Malaga Veterinary Col

lege is set to provide mi crochips, vaccines and oth er treatments free of

charge to the council dur ing the four­year agree ment.

A SHOPPING spectacular is set to mark Black Friday in Al muñecar with a campaign offering shoppers a whole host of discounts. Local business organisation, ACOS, launched a cam paign in partnership with the local council to offer shoppers in credible discounts and an opportunity to win vouchers.

Shoppers can enjoy Black Friday discounts for a whole week in the ‘Black Week’ campaign in Almuñecar.

Photo credit:

CHARITY CONCERT: Volunteer musicians showed up for a brilliant evening of electrifying rock music in aid of the Red Cross.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Vélez-Málaga (Via Facebook)

Betty Henderson

AN extravaganza of events with Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre will wel come in the festive season during De cember in Torre del Mar.

Events will kick off with a Christ mas shopping excursion on Thursday December 1. The coach trip is set to make a stop to see a Christmas dis

Lux Mundi festivities

play at Viveros Guzman before multi ple stops for a day packed with Christmas shopping. You can also welcome in the Christmas spirit with a themed quiz at the centre on Wednesday December 7

Lux Mundi is also preparing to host its annual Carol Service on Saturday December 17 at the Parish Church of San Andrés. Various international groups will perform beautiful Christ mas carols.

Another coach excursion to ‘La Mosca’ to see the unique ‘Belen’ Na tivity which is set in the picturesque mountainside will follow on Tuesday December 20. During the month the group’s usual events will continue in

Donation drive

SELFLESS volunteers in towns across Axarquia work tirelessly throughout the year to fight poverty and hunger issues. The Jun ta de Andalucia regional government launched its eagerly­await ed ‘La Gran Recogida’ Christmas donation campaign with Ban cosol Costa del Sol food bank on Monday November 21 to continue this hard work.

The Bancosol food bank recently launched its donation drive which traditionally takes place during the festive season. This year’s collection will take place on November 25 and 26 to help the foodbank to prepare for Christmas and the colder months.

Collection points have been set up in towns across Axarquia including Torre del Mar, Velez­Malaga, Rincon de La Victoria, Nerja, Torrox, and Chilches.

The regional government has allocated more than €2 million to the food bank since 2019, and has been increasing resources to deal with the fallout from global economic turmoil and the pandemic.

More than 4,000 volunteers are working in the area to help implement the support, so the campaign is expected to be high ly successful. Last year, Bancosol gave out a whopping 7.2 million meals during the campaign, which they hope to beat this year!

cluding Spanish practice classes, an art and craft group on Wednesdays and coffee mornings on Fridays.

Lux Mundi’s shop will also remain open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am ­ 1pm, and accepts dona tions in good condition. The centre will close on national holidays on De cember 6 and 8.

Prehistoric programme

THERE has been global recog nition for a natural wonder in Rincon de La Victoria. The town’s remarkable underwa ter caves, which are the only known naturally occurring un derwater caves in Europe are set to be featured in a docu mentary by the iconic National Geographic.

The caves and the striking Palaeolithic artwork featured inside them will be the star of a new National Geographic doc umentary. A film­making crew from the international maga zine visited the town on Wednesday November 16 to begin collecting footage for the documentary.

Twenty­six professionals

from National Geographic in vestigated the natural features and the prehistoric artwork in both the Cueva de La Victoria and the Cueva del Higuerón alongside the archaeologist and specialist, Pedro Cantalejo. After opening to the public in February this year, local au thorities have high hopes about the future of the caves including international recogni tion from bodies such as UN ESCO.

Local councillor for Tourism, José Martín welcomed the an nouncement saying, “The in terest the caves have stirred since opening just goes to show the huge cultural value of Rincon de La Victoria.”

Glorious grapes

AXARQUIA’S iconic grapes were the star of the show at the INTUR Valladolid Interna tional Tourism Fair. Axarquia agricultural representatives aimed to boost agricultural tourism at the fair, showcas ing the ‘exquisite’ grapes, perfect for eating or turning into amazing wines.

Drought action

THE local Partido Popular conservative political party has vowed to combat drought in Torre del Mar us ing more advanced infras tructure. The party wants to manage water more effec tively, although they ac knowledged that climate change has made drought conditions inevitable.

Foul fines

DOG owners in Rincon de La Victoria will soon be sanc tioned for not clearing up dog mess. Owners who fail to comply with sanitation rules face fines of between €75 and €100. Dog owners must also microchip their pets.

Rent relief

AUTHORITIES in Velez­Mala ga have announced a new grant that would help young people in renting properties. Eligible young people can ap ply for the bonus which is funded by the regional gov ernment to help with the costs of leaving home.

Healthcare boost

HEALTHCARE facilities in Rincon de La Victoria are set for a major improvement with a new health centre in the Huerta Julián area. The project will receive an invest ment from the council and regional government to talling nearly €9 million.

Produce picking

THE annual avocado harvest in Axarquia began this week. Farmers are expecting the harvest to be 50 per cent be low usual rates due to water shortages this summer. The mango harvest however did not suffer as much as expect ed.

Jazz extraordinaire

A DAZZLING jazz event is set to take place in Nerja this week. The Félix Rossy trio will perform an entertaining con cert at the Hotel Plaza Cavana on Calle Granada on Friday November 25 at 8pm.

The Félix Rossy trio consists of jazz musicians Félix Rossy on the trumpet, Illya Alazbuhev on the double bass and Rajiv Jayaweera on the drums. The international

group hail from Spain, Ukraine and Sri Lanka and bring together a fascinating fusion of musical experience in their performances.

The group is described as ‘versatile with the ability to combine diverse sounds… From slow, mysterious songs to jazzy, energetic tunes’.

During Friday’s show, the group will perform an exciting blend of original pieces and covers of Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Radiohead and

more. The concert is the latest in a series offered by the Ven tana Abierta Jazz club as part of a winter programme that consists of seven stunning concerts by an interesting in ternational line­up of per formers.

The concert is sure to be popular, with some seating al ready sold out. Tickets can be purchased for €14 by calling: 690 073 871 or at: ventana.abierta.acp@gmail.c om

Full of Christmas Inclusive initiatives

THERE is an exuberant event plan in Velez­Malaga to cele brate Christmas like never before. The council has created a thrilling schedule with more than 45 free activities over 35 days, the biggest Christmas programme in the last decade!

Velez­Malaga Council have curated an exciting schedule of activities with something to appeal to every audience. The town centre is set to be revitalised as a hive of tourist, commercial and leisure activity during the period!

Events will take place around the town centre, including at the Plaza de Las Carmelitas, Plaza de La Constitución and Calle Las Tiendas. Events this year include a huge activity tent in Pozancón, free attractions at María Zambrano park, comedy shows, flamenco performances, culinary work shops, concerts, Disney performances and an immersive audio­visual show.

Town mayor, Antonio Moreno Ferrer, explained the aims of the programme, “After such difficult years during the pandemic, we want to help the little ones get excited about these important dates again.”

Events kick off on Friday December 2 with the Christmas light switch­on and will run until January 6. The full event schedule can be viewed online at: www.velezmalagavive lanavidad.com

Winter walk

AN active initiative in Rincon de La Victoria will encourage residents to take advantage of the beautiful natural sur roundings. A hiking trip to Cerro Tío Cañas will take place on Sunday December 4, allowing locals, visitors and families to discover more of the area. The four kilometre route will see walkers leave from Carretera de Benagalbón, 27, and head towards Cerro Tío Cañas for a circular walk lasting around an hour and a half. The walk is low to medium difficulty and will cover interesting hilly terrain, where guides will share fasci nating information about the natural flora and fauna in the area. Anyone above the age of seven can participate in the trip, and those who complete the walk will receive a certifi cate. The council will also provide a participant pack contain ing a bottle of water, a hat and a t­shirt. You can sign up on line at: www.programa­educacion­medioambiental.com.

THERE will be a show of solidarity in Velez­Malaga to mark International Day of People with Disabilities on Saturday December 3. A week packed full of sup port and awareness­raising events has been organised in the town to celebrate all local residents.

The third edition of the week in the town will run from November 26 until December 5 with the main objective of raising aware ness among the popula tion about disabilities and special needs.

Events include work shops, talks, meetings, and sporting activities which are open to all.

A huge collaboration of more than 20 local organi sations have come togeth er to create the captivating programme of events that is sure to appeal to every one.

Events include a solidari ty seaside walk, a thera peutic yoga session for Parkinson’s sufferers, an inclusive walk, arts and

crafts sessions, a flamenco class, a basketball game and talks on subjects in cluding road safety for all, healthy ageing, and dis ability rehabilitation sup port.

The local council an nounced the programme on November 18, saying that this year’s edition will be held under the inclusive slogan of ‘We smile in the same language’, designed to make all feel welcome.

Children’s congress

THE future is bright in VelezMalaga thanks to an inspiring youth campaign that pro tects the rights of children. The town celebrated the In ternational Day of the Child on Monday November 21 with events focusing on youth mental health.

A youth assembly was or ganised in the town hall, where young people from Velez­Malaga were invited to come and share their opin ions on crucial issues about children’s rights, youth men tal health and guaranteeing our children a successful fu ture.

Councillors gave a presen tation to the children to get to know their rights before they were encouraged to get involved in their local com munities and politics.

Child representatives from local schools attended the session and had to report back to their classmates about the day.

Velez­Malaga mayor, An tonio Moreno Ferrer along with the councillor for Social Rights and Equality, Víctor González ran the session to mark International Day of the Child which is celebrated every year on November 20.

The event is a crucial day for the council after being granted Child­Friendly City status by UNICEF in 2018 for local initiatives supporting childhood development in the town.

Betty Henderson

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Vélez-Málaga

A whole host of local organisations will come together in VelezMalaga to mark International Day of People with Disabilities.

Photo credit: Ventana Abierta Jazz Club (via Facebook)

JAZZ EVENT: The Félix Rossy trio will bring an exciting blend of international jazz styles to Nerja this Friday.

TORROX’S local PSOE left­wing party has highlighted the bene fits for Torrox pensioners thanks to action by their party in government.

PSOE’s Torrox delegation announced on Friday November 11 that na tional pension action has

boosted local pensions by €798 on average.

Local General Secretary for the PSOE, Mari Nieves Ramírez, and socialist party senator, Miguel An gel Heredia, visited a centre for the elderly in Torrox where they made the speech.

Ramírez explained “Once again

Pedro Sánchez’s government has protected the working middle class through this 8.5 per cent pen sion increase to alleviate the bur den of rising inflation.”

Ramírez explained that national policies have also improved quality of life for pensioners in other ways including a subsidy for more than

1,900 medicines in a policy change from the previous conservative government.

Approximately 2,484 pensioners in Torrox have benefited from this increase of around €798. The boost is the result of a €2.5 million national pension package created by Pedro Sánchez.

Ramírez also highlighted nation al government action to fight the drought that Axarquia has faced during recent months, in the form of relief for farmers.

Boost for pensions Christmas for giving

Betty Henderson

ENJOY festive fun for a great cause at a Christmas Gala in

Rincon de La Victoria. The first edition of the ‘Rincon Contigo’ solidarity gala will take place on Sunday November 27, to get every one into the Christmas spirit.

The gala costs just €5 to attend with all proceeds raised going to the charity, Rincon Contigo’s Christmas food and toy donation drive for the less fortunate.

The gala has been organ ised by the council in collab oration with local cultural academy, the Centro de Es tudios del Folclore Malagueño de Benagalbón, which is the venue.

The event will start from 4pm and will last for around two hours, with perfor mances from various local musicians and dancers.

Local councillor for Cul ture, Clara Perles explained “This is an opportunity to collaborate with the charity, learn about the important work it does and get more involved in their year­round activities.”

The President of Rincon Contigo thanked the council and artists for their support to allow them to continue serving 140 local families.

Tickets can be purchased from Rincon Contigo’s office on Calle Los Almendros or by calling 722 431 136.

Photo credit: Sunshine Seeds / shutterstock.com

A Christmas gala this weekend in Rincon de La Victoria will get locals into the festive spirit for a great cause.

Torrox’s PSOE representatives praised Pedro Sánchez’s national government for their work which has raised pensions locally.

Alexandros Michailidis / shutterstock.com

Spain’s 2023 budget and tax plans

THE Spanish state and au tonomous community regional governments have been busy plan ning their budgets for 2023. There have been various statements over recent weeks, so here we sum marise the key tax elements.

Solidarity tax on large fortunes

The biggest development is the proposed introduction of the new impuesto de solidaridad a las grandes fortunas. Initially announced on 29 September, the Spanish government has finally published the proposed text for this new tax. The key points are:

• It will be a temporary measure for two years and then reviewed. It will either apply for 2022-2023, or 2023-2024, depending on whether the bill is passed this year.

• It will only be imposed on those with a net wealth over €3 million.

• Spanish tax residents can benefit from a €700,000 general allowance, plus a €300,000 main home deduc tion.

By Kelman Chambers, Partner, Blevins Franks

• Progressive tax rates will range from 1.7% (for wealth over €3,000,000) to 3.5%.

• A taxpayer’s combined solidarity, wealth and income tax liability can not exceed 60% of the sum of the personal income taxable bases. If nec essary, the liability will be reduced until the 60% threshold is reached.

• This tax is being imposed at state level.

It purpose is to collect more rev enue from taxpayers with greater eco nomic capacity, to help the govern ment tackle the energy and inflationary crisis. It will also har monise wealth taxation between the different autonomous communities.

The solidarity tax still needs to be debated and passed by parliament, so these proposals may change (or not get approved).

Savings tax to be increased

Another key proposal to improve tax revenue is to increase the rate ap plied to high levels of savings income. This covers interest, dividends, capi tal gains on the sale or transfer of as sets, income from life assurance con tracts and purchased annuities.

If approved, the progressive rates applied to savings income above €200,000 will increase from 26% to 27%, and income over €300,000 will be taxed at 28%.

This measure is included in the General State Budget Act for 2023 which will be debated, amended and

approved by Parliament.

Tax cuts at state level

The Budget includes reductions in personal income tax rates for low earners for 2023 and 2024.

If approved, the reduced rate of in come tax will apply to individuals earning under €21,000 a year, an in crease €18,000. Those earning less than €15,000 will be exempt from income tax (currently €14,000).

Corporate income tax will reduce from 25% to 23% for businesses with net annual turnover under €1 million.

Andalucía

On 20 September the Andalucía government announced that it will immediately apply a 100% relief for wealth tax. Therefore taxpayers living in the region do not have a wealth tax liability in 2022 or going for ward.

If, however, their wealth amounts to over €3 million, they may need to pay the new state solidarity tax for

the next two years.

Andalucía modified the general in come tax scale rates, so most taxpay ers earning over €12,450 should see a small improvement in their tax bill. The “mínimo personal y familiar” was increased in order to reduce the tax burden for residents with less eco nomic resources.

Budgets are a good prompt to re view your tax planning each year. Consider what rules have changed, bearing in mind that you may not be aware of all of them, and check whether you are making the most of all the available allowances and taxefficient opportunities. For the best results, and to make sure you have not missed anything, take specialist, personalised advice.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning tax ation are based upon our understand ing of current taxation laws and prac tices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; in dividuals should seek personalised ad vice.

A cooler game

A COOL morning in Benhavis soon heated up when AC Benahavis Over 60s took to the the field against Tor rox.

Their last outing had been a draw, due in most part to splendid goalkeeping by the Torrox keeper.

But it was a differ ent Benahavis who took to the turf.

Two quick fire goals from Benahavis saw Torrox having to chase the game throughout. Final score 9 ­ 3 Benahavis. Benahavis Captain Pe ter ‘Popeye’ Madden said of his team “ the players did what I asked and more, very proud.

A result which keeps Benahavis mid table and in contention

with the top two.”

Torrox Manager Steve Lynton said that “the small pitch at Be nahavis didn’t suit them, but that wasn’t an excuse.”

The Walking Dead began their defence of the Baha Irish Whiskey Cup with a 42 win at Finca Naun drup.

Manager Martin Tigue said that he was delighted with the re sult against a very good side. In the Euro Weekly 60s League, Malaga beat Nerja 5­1 at Estadio el Cañadon and in the 50 League

El Cañadon lost 2­3 in a fiercely contested game against Nerja.

For all walking footy news, go to walking footy.com on Face book.

Credit: Walking football

Benahavis won against Torrox keeping them mid table.

The Walking Dead team won in their Baha Irish Whiskey Cup game.

Powerful protest

A HUGE protest in Madrid saw at least 200,000 people take to the streets to de mand improvements to the public health care system and defend it against privati sation.

The protest on Sunday November 13 was organised by health unions and workers, community groups and leftwing political parties.

Protestors expressed their concerns at increasing privatisation of the public healthcare system and its restructuring by the regional government. Some medi

HUGH ELLIOTT, British Am bassador to Spain, an nounced some positive news for British expats in Spain and the Balearics af fected by the driving licence headache, which left many Spanish residents from the UK unable to drive in the country, unless they sat a driving test.

The ambassador said on Friday, November 18: “To day we have made a signifi cant step forward. You may recall that we have been in

cal professionals in the region are already on strike over the new model for health care, with 5,000 GPs expected to join them.

The restructuring of the public health system in Madrid has been criticised for the heavy workload it gives doctors, and lack of patient­oriented care it gives.

Madrid’s regional right­wing govern ment dismissed the protest calling it ‘a re sounding failure’, also accusing left­wing political parties of taking advantage of fears about changes to the system.

Licence agreement

discussions with the Spanish for some weeks over two outstanding, complex issues.

“I’m pleased to be able to tell you that we have now reached an agreement on those two points.

“So we will now take for ward the remaining steps in cluding legal checks, secur ing ministerial approval on both sides, and the neces sary treaty processes and

formal exchanges.”

While no exact time frame has been given, it ap pears that it is just bureau cracy that stands in the way of licences being exchanged.

Once sorted, British resi dents in Spain will have an other six­month grace peri od to exchange their licence for a Spanish one, in which time they can continue to use a valid UK licence.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

POPULAR American holiday Thanksgiving is becoming increasingly fashionable across Europe too, both with US expats and those who just want to get involved in the festive fun.

This year it is celebrated on Thursday, November 24 and the day has a fascinat ing history.

In the United States, Thanksgiving his tory is almost always traced back to 1621 and the event is commonly known as the First Thanksgiving. It was cele brated by the Pilgrim Fathers, a group of European settlers of the Plymouth Colony, which is today part of the state of Massachusetts.

The Pilgrims were celebrating their first har vest in the New World and marked the occa sion with a lavish three­day feast, which was attended by both Pilgrims and Native Ameri cans. It is believed that the Pilgrims were influ enced by similar practices in Europe.

In the aftermath, many other colonies set aside specific days for giving thanks to God for their blessings. A proclamation from George Washington in 1789 led to Thanksgiving be coming a national celebration and it was made into a federal holiday, on the fourth Thursday of November, by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

Today, in the United States, the Thanksgiv ing celebration largely centres around eating a large meal, which almost always includes

turkey. Other traditional foods eaten on Thanksgiving include pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Typically, Americans will spend the day with their family or a group of friends and give thanks for the things they feel fortunate to have in their lives.

This sometimes has a religious element, with many people attending religious services or saying a prayer before eating their meal.

While Spain itself does not celebrate Thanksgiving, there are an incredible 38,812 American expats living in the country, spark ing a rise in the number of businesses and in dividuals finding their own way to mark this special day.

Roast turkey is traditional for the meal.

Everyone needs a Marie Carmen

BUYING a home in Spain is different from the US. Here, it is nor mal for the house to come completely fur nished. Great, if you are moving from overseas and have nothing but suitcases.

Not so great if you have lived here and fur nished an apartment before buying your for ever home.

When we moved to our house, we were un aware that when our moving vans arrived from our apartment in Valencia that they would be unloading our personal furniture into a fully furnished home. Surprise! There was no room for it in the house. Luckily, a superhero would arrive at the

scene in the nick of time.

Our new neighbour, Marie Carmen, popped over to welcome us with a wheelbarrow full of vegetables from her garden.

She swiftly diagnosed the problem and got on her mobile phone. A man arrived in a lorry pulling a trailer. Then she worked magic, or ganising the movers, the trailer guy, and me.

Via sign language, Google translate and my broken español, Marie Carmen, with whom we had been acquainted for less than an hour, whipped us all into shape, extracting the furniture we didn’t want into the trailer, while marshalling the movers to unload our furniture into the house

and the overflow into the barn.

It took a few hours. Afterwards, Marie Car men smiled then left. As we sat on our sofa, Jeff shook his head.

“How did all that just happen?” he asked, amazed.

I had no answer. All I know is that everyone needs a Marie Carmen.

Do you know a Marie Carmen?

Has someone in Spain done you a good turn?

Say thank you by nominating them for Age in Spain’s Good Neighbour Award.

The winner will re ceive a formal letter of recognition from the UK Ambassador to Spain... and enjoy a celebration dinner for two. To nomi nate someone, click on www.ageinspain.org

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BUSINESS EXTRA

Exchange approved

EVEN though there has been something of a hiatus in the val ue and trading in cryptocurren cy recently, Bitstamp, a Luxem bourg­based cryptocurrency exchange, has gained a virtual asset service provider registra tion in Spain and can now offer crypto­to­fiat and electronic wallet custody services here.

Great value

TRAVEL website Omio has ranked the hundred best desti nations in Europe for travellers on a budget based on number of free attractions, affordability of local transport, food and drink prices, free WiFi and even water fountains. The city of Granada with its large student population was Spain’s winner.

Excise duty

CAR manufacturers were disap pointed with the announce ment that with effect from 2025, British drivers who pur chase electric vehicles will have to pay vehicle excise duty which they believe will discourage drivers to go electric, even though the government wants to phase out petrol and diesel.

Football benefit

THE Spanish economy could re ceive a massive boost if the na tional football team does well at the World Cup Finals in Qatar. Reports suggest that many Spaniards, male and fe male, who support the team enjoy doing this in company, so bars and restaurants will bene fit.

Retail sales

ACCORDING to the Office for National Statistics, retail sales volumes in the UK are estimat ed to have risen by 0.6 per cent in October 2022 following a fall of 1.5 per cent in September, but are still lower than both last year and 2019 pre pandemic.

STAT OF WEEK £1.8 billion

In sports money talks

THE British government recog nises in sports money talks and is therefore taking action to try to protect fans’ access to the biggest global attractions.

As technology expands, so it is having to review its policy con cerning free­to­air ‘listed events’ rules as they affect public ser vice broadcasters (PSBs), includ ing the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

They are currently protected as far as broadcast TV is con cerned, so that viewers may have access to the biggest sport ing events which include 13 dif ferent tournaments including Football, Olympics, Paralympics, Horse Racing, Wimbledon and Rugby.

As more people tune in via catch­up and streaming services to watch sport, the review will assess whether including digital rights can ensure as many peo ple as possible can continue to access events.

Currently if, for example, the Olympic 100m final was broad cast live in the middle of the

night on the BBC, but all stream ing and catch­up rights were sold to a different broadcaster and kept behind a paywall, a wide audience may not be able to watch this important event.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said: “As we saw during the Women’s Euros and with the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, we know that enjoying blockbuster sporting events together means

so much to many people.

“Everyone should be able to watch these incredible moments of national unity, no matter how they choose to tune in.

“As viewing habits shift on line, it is right that we review our rules and consider whether updates are needed to ensure our brilliant public service broadcasters can continue to bring major events to the public at no extra cost.”

South Korea charm offensive

SPANISH President Pe dro Sánchez held a sec ond meeting this year with Samsung execu tives, this time during his official visit to South Ko rea on Thursday Novem ber 17.

This follows a meeting held in Madrid on August 31 as Sánchez wants help to grow the new tech in dustry in Spain, whilst Samsung has not only the technology, but looks to receive a sizeable chunk of the European Recov ery Funds allocated to technology.

After visiting the facto ry in Pyeongtaek with Minister for Industry and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, he held a meeting with

Samsung executives be fore getting ready for an other meeting the fol lowing day, this time with the CEO of the com pany, Lee Jae­Yong.

During the meeting, Sánchez highlighted the government’s “ambitious strategy” to turn Spain into a relevant player in

the semiconductor value chain through: a wide range of incentives and aid, attractive financing mechanisms, an ecosys tem in rapid growth, and the ability to attract tal ent and highly qualified personnel.

He dangled the carrot that Spain is going to al

locate €12 billion which includes €9 billion of pub lic money for manufac turing facilities and re minded his hosts that some large companies such as Cisco have al ready announced their investment plans in Spain, with new chip de sign centres.

Later during his first day in South Korea he paid a visit to the facili ties of the future Cer vantes Institute in Seoul, which is intended to facil itate closer links between the two countries and closed the 14th meeting of the Spain­Korea Tri bune, an event organised by Casa Asia and the Ko rea Foundation.

FOR years Spain’s international fashion giant Inditex appears to have had good industrial relations with its employees, but this is likely to change, with one union calling for a Black Friday strike.

There are actually three unions in negotiations over pay and all want to see shop workers gain substantial increases in order to bring them on par with those working in Inditex’s offices and dis tribution centres.

On November 17, the unions confirmed no agreement had been reached, and the smallest, the CIG which represents the 1,000 shop assistants who work in A Coruna is calling for the Black Friday strike.

No Deliveroo

THE sudden closure of Deliveroo in Australia saw around 120 staff and 15,000 riders out of work and an estimated 12,000 restaurants unable to make deliveries.

Although one of the reasons for closure was due to new federal laws concerning the rights of workers, many fear that the cur rent financial crisis worldwide will see other food and grocery deliv ery companies closing down in Europe.

In addition, as competition re duces, so global organisations such as Uber Eats may be tempt ed to up their prices which will in turn have a financial impact upon restaurants and consumers.

Prison dragons

SEVERAL local entrepreneurs and ex­offenders with their own busi nesses stood in as ‘Dragons’ at HMP Thorn Cross, in Cheshire where prisoners were invited to pitch for start ­up funding once re leased.

Proposals that were put before the attendees included a graphic design consultancy and personal fitness business and the en trepreneurs chose which business should receive the first prize of £400, with runners up receiving £300.

The money will be transferred to the prisoners by Entrepreneurs Unlocked, an organisation that is dedicated to help prisoners to stay on the straight and narrow following release.

is the amount that 27 million households in the UK shared in October in the first month of the government’s reduction of energy bills.

Credit: Andrew Parsons No 10 Downing Street flickr

WATCHING SPORT: The thrill of international football.

Credit: Pedro Sánchez Twitter

NEW TECH: A less than informal meeting with Samsung.

3I Group 1.308,50 1.313,00 1.299,50 117,96K

Abrdn 204,20 204,50 201,20 1,46M

Admiral Group 2.059,0 2.077,0 2.055,0 97,17K

Anglo American 3.124,5 3.132,0 3.078,0 338,15K

Antofagasta 1.306,00 1.309,50 1.288,50 134,58K

Ashtead Group 4.969,0 5.004,0 4.930,0 64,75K

Associated British Foods 1.500,0 1.525,0 1.495,5 29,14K

AstraZeneca 11.038,0 11.078,0 10.938,0 204,65K

Auto Trader Group Plc 564,80 566,60 560,20 303,43K

Aveva 3.167,0 3.169,0 3.162,0 628,62K

Aviva 454,80 455,10 452,40 883,79K

B&M European Value Retail SA403,60 411,30 400,80 531,73K

BAE Systems 783,94 785,60 771,40 743,71K

Barclays 158,40 158,46 157,32 3,40M

Barratt Developments 400,10 401,90 395,90 535,54K

Berkeley 3.751,0 3.751,0 3.692,0 17,64K

BHP Group Ltd 2.418,50 2.435,00 2.395,50 259,71K

BP 469,95 477,60 468,85 8,07M

British American Tobacco 3.342,0 3.343,5 3.296,0 185,42K

British Land Company 412,80 412,90 405,20 406,46K

BT Group 122,91 123,20 120,70 1,38M

Bunzl 3.045,0 3.048,0 3.007,0 182,45K

Burberry Group 2.099,0 2.113,0 2.075,0 48,46K

Carnival 700,8 711,6 697,6 132,46K

Centrica 94,20 94,52 93,12 2,12M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.990,0 1.990,0 1.974,0 37,99K

Compass 1.824,00 1.831,00 1.769,00 546,35K

CRH 3.302,0 3.325,5 3.283,0 57,08K

Croda Intl 6.810,0 6.916,0 6.768,0 32,07K

DCC 4.315,0 4.339,0 4.299,0 16,29K

Diageo 3.690,5 3.692,0 3.669,5 267,00K

DS Smith 303,40 307,70 301,70 583,99K

EasyJet 375,20 385,30 371,40 871,22K

Experian 2.880,0 2.890,2 2.859,0 17,97K

Ferguson 9.684,0 9.794,0 9.630,0 85,02K

Flutter Entertainment 11.450,0 11.535,0 11.350,0 0,56K

Fresnillo 867,80 871,00 857,20 113,90K

Glencore 499,95 500,40 491,80 7,52M

GSK plc 1.386,40 1.387,20 1.368,60 668,75K

Halma 2.185,0 2.207,0 2.162,0 114,33K

Hargreaves Lansdown 826,80 837,80 814,60 234,69K

Hikma Pharma 1.428,00 1.438,00 1.427,00 4,07K

HSBC 485,40 485,55 478,10 2,65M

IAG 129,62 130,84 129,22 3,02M

Imperial Brands 2.149,50 2.151,00 2.116,00 271,53K

Informa 593,60 595,40 591,40 264,15K

InterContinental 4.763,0 4.787,0 4.685,0 65,36K

Intermediate Capital 1.191,00 1.206,00 1.177,00 225,58K

Intertek 3.894,0 3.911,0 3.863,0 28,97K

ITV 73,80 74,40 73,10 1,31M

J Sainsbury 215,80 217,10 215,10 507,49K

Johnson Matthey 2.001,0 2.052,0 1.996,5 32,23K

Land Securities 630,40 631,60 619,60 173,05K

Legal & General 260,80 261,30 258,50 1,91M

Lloyds Banking 45,66 45,81 45,32 17,72M

London Stock Exchange 8.056,0 8.108,0 8.048,0 43,29K

Melrose Industries 127,00 130,40 127,40 187,72K

Mondi 1.554,50 1.568,50 1.541,50 101,03K

National Grid 1.025,00 1.030,00 1.015,00 558,97K

NatWest Group 258,40 259,40 257,50 1,38M

Next 5.654,0 5.676,0 5.622,0 41,45K

Norilskiy Nikel ADR 9,10 9,10 9,10 0

Ocado 623,78 671,40 620,20 555,74K

Persimmon 1.295,5 1.306,5 1.283,0 184,13K

Phoenix 598,20 598,40 590,40 250,13K

Prudential 957,60 967,00 947,80 674,60K

Reckitt Benckiser 5.846,7 5.852,5 5.824,9 17,29K

Relx 2.309,82 2.310,00 2.272,00 421,16K

Rentokil 538,40 538,80 531,40 338,50K

Rightmove 539,20 543,20 534,60 369,60K

Rio Tinto PLC 5.319,0 5.328,0 5.263,0 342,12K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 84,39 85,90 83,45 5,17M

Sage 808,20 809,00 796,80 345,62K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.120,50 1.128,00 1.115,00 2,73K

Schroders 458,9 462,0 455,3 293,22K

Scottish Mortgage 782,18 792,20 782,40 439,68K

Segro 831,40 835,80 822,80 378,96K

Severn Trent 2.738,0 2.756,0 2.721,0 85,04K

Shell 2.328,0 2.351,0 2.310,5 1,43M

Smith & Nephew 1.065,50 1.067,50 1.061,00 139,61K

Smiths Group 1.584,50 1.584,50 1.567,50 196,32K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.315,0 11.400,0 11.165,0 14,10K SSE 1.691,50 1.717,24 1.681,50 45,22K

St. James’s Place 1.180,50 1.186,00 1.169,50 76,71K

Standard Chartered 583,00 584,40 577,60 511,42K

Taylor Wimpey 103,55 104,05 102,40 2,77M

Tesco 230,60 231,60 229,70 1,27M

Tui 139,25 142,50 138,00 941,88K

Unilever 4.085,0 4.085,0 4.034,0 362,18K

United Utilities 1.030,50 1.035,00 1.014,00 167,56K

Vodafone Group PLC 97,43 97,98 96,88 12,47M

Whitbread 2.514,0 2.524,0 2.483,0 48,35K WPP 864,60 868,40 861,60 627,10K

3M 126,76 128,34 3,15M

American Express 152,50 153,76 150,94 2,63M

Amgen 287,29 288,73 284,43 2,37M

Apple 151,29 152,70 149,97 74,33M

Boeing 173,89 175,19 171,53 4,68M

Caterpillar 231,43 231,84 227,63 2,80M

Chevron 182,99 183,41 179,65 7,64M

Cisco 47,79 48,04 46,86 30,76M

Coca-Cola 61,14 61,37 60,80 10,38M

Dow 50,07 50,52 49,36 3,75M

Goldman Sachs 379,20 382,83 377,39 2,37M

Home Depot 313,18 316,00 310,26 3,55M

Honeywell 214,53 217,35 213,16 2,97M

IBM 147,64 148,31 145,94 4,66M

Intel 29,87 30,26 29,61 26,84M

J&J 176,20 176,64 174,62 6,47M

JPMorgan 133,84 134,67 132,28 9,42M

McDonald’s 273,37 275,10 272,12 2,69M

Merck&Co 104,23 104,60 102,63 11,55M

Microsoft 241,22 243,74 239,03 27,49M

Nike 105,42 107,72 104,17 5,37M

Procter&Gamble 142,57 142,76 141,27 5,63M

Salesforce Inc 148,04 152,32 145,65 7,50M

The Travelers 184,56 185,87 183,24 1,47M

UnitedHealth 530,00 532,99 519,46 3,52M

Verizon 38,55 38,77 38,29 17,55M

Visa A 210,80 214,17 209,74 5,52M

Walgreens Boots 39,75 40,95 39,26 6,94M

Walmart 150,23 150,24 148,77 6,30M

Walt Disney 91,80 93,16 90,91 9,82M

Most Advanced

Most Declined

Farfetch Limited -11.27% 31.601M

Vertex, Inc. -10.12% 902,388

BellRing Brands, Inc. -9.55% 2.866M

Weibo Corporation -9.43% 934,625

360 DigiTech, Inc. -8.74% 1.224M

Trupanion, Inc. -8.41% 818,062

GDS Holdings Limited -8.19% 1.558M

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. -7.85% 15.283M

Tencent Holdings Limited -7.46% 4.215M

BUSINESS EXTRA

Recovery Fund

THE Spanish government has formally requested the third tranche of the Recov ery and Resilience Fund to talling €6 billion from the European Union thanks, it says, to the fact that it has fulfilled 23 milestones and six objectives set by the EU earlier this year.

Arena saved

FOLLOWING the collapse of the WASPS Rugby Union Club which moved to Coventry in 2014, the via bility of the Coventry Build ing Society Arena which is also home to Coventry City Football Club came into question, but it has now been purchased by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group.

Bulgaria beckons

SOME 80 Spanish compa nies have created bases in Bulgaria, investing €800 million and employing 3,000 staff according to Economy and Industry Minister Nikola Stoyanov, who chaired a special breakfast meeting and briefing for Spanish fi nanciers in Bulgarian capi tal Sofia on November 17.

No Saturday delivery

HAVING recorded a £219 million operating loss in the first six months of 2022, the Royal Mail which created the concept of the penny post with almost same day delivery, now wants to save money by stopping Saturday postal deliveries. It still intends to deliver parcels six days a week, but has to obtain government permission to change its delivery sched ules. With strikes on the horizon and likely opposi tion to the change from publishers who aim to have many of their maga zine subscriptions arriving on a Saturday, the priva tised Royal Mail may find losses increasing.

UK autumn statement

JEREMY HUNT is going to hit the British public in the pocket as he announced his cuts and increases in tax for many, on Thursday November 17.

As first glance, it doesn’t seem to be quite as drastic as first anticipated and for pension ers the good news is that the triple lock will remain in place for next year, meaning that state pensions will rise by 10.1 per cent in April 2023.

He admitted that the UK has entered into recession and vows that his actions will help to make this as short and painless as possible, although many will still find themselves hit where it hurts most, in their pockets.

He announced a freeze on income tax thresholds, meaning millions of people will pay more in tax as their wages rise and Labour declared this a stealth tax as it doesn’t hurt immediately, but will affect tax payers in the coming years.

Unlike the previous, short­lived Chancellor, he is not going to protect the general public completely from rises in energy bills although there will still be some support, but expect to pay an additional £500 per year from April.

Highest earners who had earlier this year expected the 45 per cent top rate of tax to be scrapped, will not only have pay it, but at a new threshold of £125,140 rather than £150,000, although bankers will be able to benefit from big bonusses.

Benefits and tax credits will stay in line with inflation at 10.1 per cent and there will

be extra payments of £900 for those on means­tested benefits, £300 for pensioner households and £150 for those on disability benefits.

The windfall tax on the big energy compa nies will increase from 25 to 35 per cent, al though it seems likely that if they plough their profits back in to new energy or new ex ploration, they will be able to avoid some or all of that tax.

Generally speaking, the majority of budgets previously agreed with government depart ments will remain, but as inflation will dra matically increase their costs, there is effec tively a reduction in the value of the budgets and in the case of overseas aid, this will re

Raising prices

TELEFONICA has announced that it will increase Movistar prices with effect from Jan uary 1 following an earlier announcement by Avatel and Vodafone.

There will be no change in the special offer rates that consumers may have been signed up for until the agreed period ends, nor will there be an increase on O2 tariffs.

Basically, it is using the op portunity allowed to in crease prices due to the cost­of­living crisis which has meant that overall operat ing costs have risen sharply, so its action are not in breach of any Spanish regu lations.

Indeed, it argues that the average price increase of 6.8 per cent is less than the cur rent inflation rate and de spite the fact that clients will not be receiving any addi

tional benefits on services to offset the cost, the company insists that it offers good val ue for money.

Each package will poten tially see a different rise, with some as low as 5.6 per cent and some will be much higher than the average, so the company has undertak en to contact each customer over the coming weeks to outline the new charges.

Many customers of the

two largest internet and mo bile telephony suppliers be lieve that a price rise would be much more acceptable if the companies involved of fered a better service and as communications companies made it easier, especially for expats, to communicate.

As technology takes great leaps and bounds forwards, these giant organisations still seem unable to cut through their endemic bureaucracy.

main reduced until such time as the country can afford to pay more.

One area that he continues to support, (against the wishes of some members of the Tory Party) is the HS2 high speed rail project which has already cost £100 billion and con tinues to be a drain on the country’s re sources with an estimated £7 billion a year until the end of the decade being spent on it.

Following his statement, the Office for Bud get Responsibility (OBR) (which had been ig nored under the Truss administration) re leased its latest forecasts for the UK economy and government spending.

It believes that continued soaring prices will reduce consumer’s disposable income and taking into account inflation it will be the most significant drop since official records be gan.

In summary, the OBR expects hard times ahead, suggesting that GDP will continue to shrink by around 1.4 per cent next year which will see the national debt climbing by an un expected £400 billion boosted by the need to support up to 500,000 newly unemployed.

Things are expected to get worse before they get better with increased reduction in GDP in 2024 and 2025.

Only time will tell how effective the Chancel lor’s plans may be, but all could change dra matically if the Russian invasion of Ukraine ei ther intensifies and brings in NATO or if an acceptable settlement is found which helps to bring down energy and basic food prices.

Clucked off

CAUSED in part by Avian Flu and also because some farmers are finding it too expensive to continue, there appears to be a short age of fresh eggs in the UK.

Already Asda and Lidl are said to be rationing the number of boxes of eggs customers can buy and Sainsbury’s which normal ly only sells British eggs has confirmed that it is currently import ing some from Italy and they are labelled as such.

Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, told the BBC that some supply chains get eggs from particular farmers, “But across the country we still have nearly 40 million roosting hens. As a consequence, I’m not concerned about the overall supply.”

Buyoyant tourism

THE

Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, said on Thursday November 17 “this data is very positive, since one in three new jobs in October was generated in the tourism sector, which demonstrates the decisive contribution of this in dustry to the recovery of the economy and employment in our country.”

In addition, there are 22,441 more foreign workers than the previous month, bringing the increase in this group across all industries to 155,445 and the total to 2,462,109.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves for Parliament.

Credit: HM Treasury flickr

Spanish tourism sector closed October with 2,543,749 workers registered with the government which was the best month ever and almost 110,000 more than in October 2019 before the pandemic caused lockdowns.

NEW CHARGES: Supporting sport at customer cost.

Credit: Movistar Spain Twitter

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

SOMETIMES I think I’ve lost track of the plot. (I can hear a number of readers chortling with glee!) Most of you will know only too well what my opinions are regarding the face less committee of individuals who in my opinion run the planet from their secret domains of power.

What I actually fail to understand is why they are allowing a minority in the UK to run slipshod over the public arena under allegations that they are not given the same impor tance as the majority, a ridiculous summation.

All the power happy leaders re quire, is to keep the citizens perma nently worried and on edge. This of course maintains them rushing about and fearful as to their actual survival, which categorically holds them under control.

I have always actually maintained the Saudis are very highly placed in the world hierarchy scheme of things.

The eight years I spent there was certainly an eye opener in my opin ions as to who actually runs world

On the edge

affairs. One rumour that abounded was that when slavery was out lawed in 1962 they built a large town in the middle of the desert to accommodate the relinquished slaves. A few years later they bombed it out of existence; prob lem solved.

Could never prove it of course, but I was very friendly with a Saudi pilot who enjoyed a drink!

I was also proven exactly correct when I wrote that the murder of Ja mal Khashoggi in Turkey’s Saudi embassy would result in so­called perpetrators standing private trial and disappearing into a mid­east haze; which is precisely what oc curred.

It was publically announced that five were sentenced to death (later pardoned of course) the Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, professed to know nothing about it (ha).

All the so­called perps were im prisoned and, when all the scandal died down, were secretly released and now live lives of luxury with

God speed

THE British Benevolent Fund receives many applications for financial help from British na tionals in Spain. Many in des perate situations.

A life in the sun for some, be comes a nightmare trap with seemingly no way out for all too many. This is particularly so for the many Britons who retire to Spain in the hope of exchanging the damp cold north for the warm balms of the Med.

For those who come unpre pared for the many hidden as pects of day to day living this can be a rude awakening.

We were alerted to a couple in their early 70s. He had worked in the Post Office and she in a school. They had known Spain from many family holidays over the years and had decided that this would be the perfect place to settle down af ter a long life of daily grind ­ in addition their children and grandchildren could visit in the holidays ­ it all made sense.

They sold their house and with the proceeds bought a property in Alicante Province and planned to live off their

modest pension and some savings.

On arrival in 2017 they did their paper work and registered for both NIE and padron.

Within a short time however things started to go wrongwith the first heavy rain they discovered the roof was unfit for purpose and had to re placed.

In 2019 she slipped and broke her hip. The replacement surgery caused additional trau ma in addition to the expense.

Both their medical situations deteriorated and they entered lockdown in March 2020 in an overwhelming sense of isola tion and vulnerability.

Their electricity was cut off in June 2021.

A house in the sun was now a house without light to see, nor warmth in the winter or cool air in the summer ­ and no hot food.

One day he went to the bank to draw some money.

To his horror his bank had without his knowledge paid the

the promised millions they subse quently discovered in their bank ac counts.

And that my friends is how our world is governed today. Those who have more money than they ever dreamed of have won that race. The only success left for them to achieve is power and the faceless mob knows exactly how to attain it.

If anyone gets too close, assassi nation awaits, even if it doesn’t look like it. Dr Kelly, Stephen Ward are cases in point.

Even I occasionaly glance over my shoulder!

Keep the Faith. Love bLeapy. Leapylee2002@gmail.com. Expatradioscotland.com Mon Fri. 1pm till 4.

NOT SO BEAUTIFUL OUR VIEW

ALTHOUGH football is probably the most popular sport in the world, not everyone will be glued to the TV over the next few weeks as the World Cup Finals unfold in Qatar.

What used to be referred to as the ‘beautiful game’ has be come tarnished over the past couple of decades with money gushing into the sport and top officials accused of either giv ing or taking bribes.

Rather than alternate between Europe and South America as was the case in the past, it makes sense to ensure that the finals do take place in different parts of the world and the suc cess of South Africa as well as Japan and South Korea speak for themselves.

There is a real interest in football in the Middle East as well as huge amounts of money from there sunk into clubs around Europe, but the decision to choose Qatar for this year’s finals is questionable. It is already clear that the country just can’t cope physically or emotionally with the World Cup and is already breaking its agreements with, for example, the decision to ban sponsor Budweiser from selling beer at matches. Accommodation for fans in overpriced, noisy con tainers is also not helping to highlight the positive aspect of attending the matches.

Whilst figures such as David Beckham and Robbie Williams are criticised for taking Qatari money, it should be noted that organisations such as the BBC and Sky have no obvious com punction about sending teams of commentators there and broadcasting the matches.

Hopefully England, Spain and Wales do well as the hospi tality industry in particular will benefit from showing their team’s matches.

SALLY UNDERWOOD POLITICAL ANIMAL

Why do it?

Clayton of BBF.

year’s house insurance causing the account to be overdrawn and demands for repayment.

Neither utilities nor bank lis tened to plea for a repayment plan.

In June of this year, they made the decision to leavehowever difficult that would be ­ and that’s when the BBF got involved.

We were able to put them in touch with a partner charity, one of many that are listed in https://www.supportinspain.in fo/ a vital resource supported the British Embassy.

We cleared their utility ar rears. The lights went back on in June ­ one year in the dark.

They are in the process of selling their house and return ing to the UK.

God speed.

For more information about the British Benevolent Fund contact olaf.clayton@british benevolentfund.org

OF all the jobs around, being an MP may eas ily be the one most likely to prompt the ques tion, “why in the name of god would anyone do it?”

Of the top reasons why this is an odd, frus trating and ultimately often futile job (most political careers don’t end because some thing’s gone right after all) the first has got to be that of its very nature, it’s a job where every four years you have to beseech roughly 30,000 people simply to let you stick around.

Apart from that, being an MP presents you with the somewhat unique opportunity to be hated simultaneously by the press, the general public, your opponents, everyone living within a five­mile radius of your home, and even your own colleagues. Add to that the fact that if you do ever climb the greasy pole to a ministerial position you’re often thrust, from the first mo ment of appointment, into leading the gov ernment on a topic you know almost nothing about ­ and then having to repeatedly talk about that very topic, in detail, live on TV with someone with the approximate sympathy of a rottweiler (this is of course unfair to rottweil ers, which are very affectionate animals). All this while, inevitably, a number of your col leagues will be trying to grab your job.

Yes, it’s difficult to work out why anyone would actually want to be an MP even if it was handed to them; let alone spend years actively campaigning to do it.

But yet.

Despite its inarguable weirdness, it’s also dif ficult to imagine another career that presents quite the same level of genuinely awe­inspir ing opportunity.

The chance to help people on both a local level as well as on a national or international level by changing a law that improves thou sands of lives (the Clean Air Act, National Mini mum Wage Act and NHS spring most obvi ously to mind). The chance to be a part of the tipping point that moves the world forward (the 1967 law to decriminalise homosexuality, for example, was only narrowly voted in by 57 votes). The chance to be a tiny part of history.

That’s got to take some beating.

Perhaps occasionally then, instead of spending so much energy trying to trip each other up, our elected representatives would like to remind us of this very unique privilege.

It certainly couldn’t hurt bridging the (cur rently vast) gap between the electorate and politicians in an increasingly cynical world. And you never know ­ it might even inspire the very next person to do something truly great.

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Olaf

Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com

Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

GOD HELP US

TROUBLED , confused, clueless are just three words associated with dis orientated. Has your columnist Loopy Lee com pletely lost the plot? The current chaos in the UK that everyone knows is down to the mismanage ment of the Tory Party over 12 years of austerity with no economic growth, not to mention the dam age done by Johnson’s dis astrous Brexit deal and the recent Truss bombshell, yet his misguided ideology it is all the fault of the Labour Party and just re cently according to his lat est rants it is also down to the BBC, god help us.

Ramon Osborne Los Alcazares

Spot on

Just read your article in this week’s EWN which was abso lutely spot on as usual .

Best wishes, Brian

Supporter speaks out

You should be ashamed of yourselves for printing the ar ticle about Celtic supporters. They have a fantastic reputa tion throughout the world. Ask the city of Sevilla, 80,000 fans were there for the UEFA Cup final. Yes they left trash but not one arrest. I am not condoning leaving rubbish, but come on it is hardly trash ing the place. Celtic fans have an amazing reputation!

G McPhillips

Blue badge petition

Thank you Euro Weekly News for your petition relating to the issue of blue badges. I appreciate that this is another tan gled mess relating to Brexit and it may not be simple to resolve, but once again it is the UK expat community suffer ing. Many people with poor mobility are living a restricted life, parking close to hospitals and shops can be near on im possible. The beach is a no go, especially on weekends as it is so busy all the parking spaces are taken, although there al ways seems to be blue badge bays available and when you cannot walk far, the idea of a day at the beach is just a dream. I totally under stand why expats are moving back to the UK.

B Byrnes

Still ranting

Having picked up your paper whilst staying here for a month, I was im pressed to see how infor mative and interesting it was and the insight it af fords into the local expat culture. And then I read the rant by Loopy, sorry, Leapy Lee. I found his ar ticle chilling and it made me question what type of narrow­minded bigots live here. Please remove such politically extreme

commentary from your paper. He is clearly uned ucated and taints your otherwise useful and helpful paper, which should surely aim to be inclusive to unite all ex pats.

Diana Harrington

Voicing how I feel

I am 75 years young and have been coming to the Costa del Sol for over 30 years. I have read your newspaper for sev eral years while visiting Spain and online and I cannot help but agree with the comments made by Mr Lee. I live in Bat tersea and have seen my community change so much over the last few years, unfortunately not in a good way. The Na tional Health system is totally overstretched, my wife has been waiting for knee surgery for over 15 months and after having a fall waited for an am bulance for eight hours.

The police take hours, if not days, to respond when you report a crime and when they do come they make you feel like you are wasting their time. Our community is growing with immigrants who stretch the re sources, which I have paid into the system for over 50 years for. Thank you Leapy for voicing how I feel.

N Harman

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

IF you want to win the Eu romillions lottery, stick with the same numbers every week. It demands less strain on the memory. And remem ber that, if your chosen num bers are 1­2­3­4 and 5, you have the same chance of win ning as with any other selec tion of the five numbers from 1 to 50. Similarly, if you sub mit the same numbers that won over €100 million last time ­ still the same chance. The odds are 1 in 140 million. Winning the jackpot is less likely than Donald Trump be ing appointed principal con ductor of the Berlin Philhar monic.

These statistics demonstrate the unlikelihood of winning, but people do win it, so we persevere, many of us week after week until we die. Gen erally, if we keep doing the same thing and meet with no

FAT CHANCE!

believe and imagine that we have already won. Jesus said: “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” It is beyond most of us to believe with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our soul, but we have wit nessed the results of people who have achieved ‘miracles’ through faith. And in most cas es they have also chosen to make changes ­ to do certain things differently or to use the mind differently.

likely to be able to control de velopments.

We have come to accept that the mind can shape our destiny and that if we visualise something clearly enough it will come to fruition ­ al though not necessarily imme diately. The best example is the use of the mind to com municate with our immune system and thus control and improve the physical health of our bodies.

success, we need to change something, but the lottery is different because it does not depend on our own efforts. I see no point in changing the five numbers I have used for seven years ­ because they could be the next combination to win. But I have to believe I

am going to win ­ one day.

There are three cases in which it will never happen. The first is when we don’t buy a ticket and the second is if we lose the ticket. The third is if we don’t sincerely believe we have a chance.

More accurately, we need to

Just one example concerns diet. It is no good expecting to become healthier if we contin ue eating, drinking and living in the manner that brought us to our present condition. If we want to lose weight, get rid of an illness or generally feel good, we seek advice, do the research and proceed accord ingly. Only then is the mind

Many people have become wealthy not by dwelling on how to achieve it but by pic turing the wealth and its trap pings as if they already have it. Once their mind is resolved, a strategy comes to them.

David Worboys’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors

There’s a fat chance of winning the lottery if we lose the ticket.

Photo credit: HubPages

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