The Government of Spain approves the employment incentive for those receiving the Minimum Basic Income to improve their employment situation

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The Council of Ministers has regulated the the Minimum Basic Income (IMV) being compatible with income from work or self-employment in order to improve the real opportunities for social and employment inclusion of those who receive this benefit.

The regulation establishes a mechanism that guarantees an increase in disposable income to those receiving IMV who find work, or improve their working conditions. This is one of the commitments set out in the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for this year.

Isabel Rodríguez, the Government Spokesperson and Minister for Territorial Policy, explained that this incentive will come into force in January 2023 and will be activated automatically depending on changes in the beneficiary's situation, without the need to apply for it. "Zero paperwork", she said.

The aid will be more intensive to support initial wage increases, as well as for single parents, people with disabilities and those entering the labour market. The number of beneficiaries is estimated to reach 45,000 people.

Currently, more than half a million households in Spain receive the IMV, accounting for 1.4 million people. Of these, 43% are minors, which is why this benefit also contributes to the fight against child poverty", one of this Government's priority actions", Rodríguez stressed.

Choice of head office for the Spanish Space Agency

The Government has approved the start of the procedure to determine the physical head office of the Spanish Space Agency. The process will be transparent, open and competitive to "give opportunities to our country as a whole", said Isabel Rodríguez.

The Government Spokesperson recalled that the aim of decentralising the head offices of autonomous bodies is to structure the territory and bring the institutions closer to citizens.

The Spanish Space Agency will manage the space programmes included in the Aerospace PERTE, which is why it is important that it is operational in the shortest possible time. Thus, the Advisory Committee to determine the head offices will meet within one month, and, subsequently, the autonomous communities, local entities, universities and other entities that wish to do so will be able to submit their bids.

Aid to combat climate change

The Government Spokesperson and Minister for Territorial Policy, Isabel Rodríguez, attends the media at the press conference after the Council of Ministers | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The Executive has agreed to award two direct grants for actions to respond to the consequences of climate change.

The first, 10 million euros, is earmarked for 25 municipalities in the Segura basin in the province of Albacete. Its management has been entrusted to the Valencian Community.

Half of the grant is earmarked for infrastructure works to improve the flood protection of population centres and municipal facilities. Twenty-five per cent is destined to the agricultural sector for the same purpose, while up to 10% of the remainder will be used to hire technical research staff and to carry out studies and reports on the current situation in the area.

Rodríguez pointed out that the Segura basin has always been particularly affected by flooding and climate change is accentuating this problem.

The second grant of 14 million euros will be managed by the regional government of the Canary Islands and is aimed at agricultural holdings that rely on water extracted by desalination or from wells and therefore have a higher cost, which has an impact on production.

Condemnation of male violence

Isabel Rodríguez has expressed the Government's regret at the three murders due to male violence confirmed in recent days in the provinces of Alicante, Malaga and Palencia: "We condemn these behaviours, these acts and those who, through their speech, protect them".

The spokesperson assured that the Executive continues to work to make all the necessary public resources available to women who are victims of sex-based violence, and also called for "social and collective awareness" to address these situations.

Non official translation