Albacete.- The subdelegate of the Government of Spain in Albacete, Miguel Juan Espinosa, has highlighted the impact that the measures promoted by the Government of Pedro Sánchez have had in this province, in a balance made before the media.
Espinosa has specified that, to date, the General Administration of the State has directly executed a total of 68 million euros in the province of Albacete thanks to the Recovery Plan, carrying out 1,480 actions in various fields. To this must be added the more than 1 billion euros transferred by the Government of Spain, in Castilla-La Mancha, to the Board of Communities, provincial councils and municipalities, also coming from the Recovery Plan, to execute investments and develop more projects.
The Recovery Plan has benefited more than 1,400 SMEs in the province, with the Digital Kit and the financial guarantees program of CERSA as main projects. As for the modernization of healthcare equipment, more than 1.54 million euros have been allocated for the acquisition of high-tech equipment in two centers in the province: the General Hospital of Almansa and the General University Hospital of Albacete.
In addition, the Government highlights the implementation of five irrigation modernization projects in the province of Albacete, with funding of more than 17 million euros. These projects include the implementation of renewable energy through photovoltaic panels in various irrigated communities in the province, such as Las Colleras, Pozo Cañada, Balazote-La Herrera, Príncipe de España and Abenuj de Tobarra.
During his speech, the subdelegate of the Government of Spain in Albacete also presented the updated data on pensions in the province. Espinosa has specified that the total number of pensions in Albacete is 73,651, with an average pension of 1,062.96 euros, compared to the 824.07 euros they received on average in 2018, which means that the commitment made reality by the Government of Spain with the revaluation has translated into 238.89 euros more per month on average for each pensioner in these five years. Of these, the majority, almost 6 out of 10, correspond to retirement pensions, which total 44,496, with an average pension of 1,221.87 euros.
In addition, the Labor Reform has made possible a strong increase in indefinite hiring and, in January 2023, a total of 78,478 indefinite contracts were registered, which represents an increase of 268% compared to the data of January 2019. With regard to affiliation to Social Security, there has been an increase of 14,454 employed in February 2023, compared to the figure of February 2018, reaching a total of 146,430, and it represents an increase of 11%.
In the field of education, a total of 5,704 non-university scholarships worth 11.7 million euros have been awarded. Of these, 4,718 students have been beneficiaries of the general call, while 986 students have received grants due to specific need for educational support.
In terms of social assistance, the Social Electric Bonus has benefited 23,104 people, reflecting the concern and commitment of the Government of Spain in the protection of social rights and the fight against energy poverty. “The Government will continue to work in this line to ensure access to basic services for all people, especially those in vulnerable situations,” said the Government’s deputy delegate.
According to the data accumulated from January 1, 2023 to March 23, 2023, in the province of Albacete a total of 14,411 free medium-distance tickets have been issued, as well as the issuance of 3,364 AVANT tickets, which imply a 50% discount on the ticket.
In addition, the Government has promoted cultural measures such as the Young Cultural Voucher, which has benefited 2,261 young people in the province of Albacete, which represents 54.92% of the potential beneficiaries.
The deputy delegate also pointed out that a total of 202 livestock farmers have benefited from specific government aid to this sector to deal with the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The amount of the aid amounts to a total of 2,647,186.84 euros.
In summary, the Spanish Government Legislature in Albacete “has brought important advances in terms of employment, social aid, education and culture,” said Espinosa, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to the development and well-being of the province and its inhabitants.