Mariano Rajoy argues that Budget allows more money to be given to pensions, healthcare and education

Corridors of the Lower House of Parliament, Madrid

In a statement given in the corridors of the Lower House at the end of the speech by Cristóbal Montoro, the President of the Government reiterated that the aim of these public accounts is "to continue with economic growth and job creation".

Mariano Rajoy recalled that Spain is the country enjoying the fastest rate of growth in Europe and trusts that the figures for April will continue to reflect this growth.

According to the President of the Government, "we are heading down the right path", and that contributes to a "significant increase in the collection of tax revenue, which allows us to pay out more money on pensions, healthcare and education".

The President of the Government insisted that "a good budget" is being debated. "I hope that we can approve it in this House and then we can get down to work on drafting the next budget, for the year 2018".

The 2017 Budget is the first phase of its passage through Parliament on Wednesday, 3 May, the debate on the seven amendments to the Budget presented by various political groups, which will be voted on at Thursday's parliamentary session.