An article By David Eade, Gibraltar Panorama
09-04-13
We know Spain is in financial meltdown. We also know that traditionally Andalusía has been one of the poorest regions of that country. Hence when Spain hits rock bottom, Andalusía falls off the scale.
These unpalatable facts are reflected in a report produced by the Catholic charity Cáritas in conjunction with the Universidad Cardenal Herrera entitled: "Pobreza y privación en Andalucía y España".
It shows just how hard the region across the border is being hit by the recession.
The findings show that 5.95 per cent of homes in Andalusia are not able to provide a hot meal every two days consisting of fish or meat. This compares with the national average of 2.9 per cent.
In addition 10.52 of homes in Andalusia are not able to adequately heat their homes in the winter months. This figure is almost double the national average of 5.95 per cent.
When it comes to paying the mortgage 53 per cent of families say they are in trouble whilst 43 per cent are behind in monies owed on purchases, credit cards or loans.
Over half of families in this region, 55.38 per cent, say they will not be able to go away from home on a holiday this year. In Spain nationally just 39.37 per cent of families will be forced to forego a break.
Almost half of families in Andalusia, 48.01 per cent, admit they do not have the capacity to meet unexpected household expenses compared with 35.35 per cent nationally. For 16.83 per cent of this region's families making ends meet to the end of the month is very difficult compared with 10.06 in Spain. Homes in Andalusia suffer more from damp, cracks and being in a poor state (23.45 per cent) than in the country generally (15.61).
This says the report shows the classic concept that Andalusia is one of the poorest regions in Spain. Only the Canary Islands, Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha fare worse and the latter two on different parameters. However the intensity in the poverty levels have grown more in Andalusia than on average in Spain and it is this intensity of the poverty that is amongst the worst in the country.
These figures are averages and hence even within Andalusia there will be areas that fare better or worse. I think there is no doubt that La Línea falls in to the second category.
This situation should concern us as Gibraltarians on two levels. The first is humanitarian: no man, or woman, should wish his fellow to suffer such a plight.
The second is that Andalusia and the Campo de Gibraltar are our nearest neighbours and hence what happens there impacts here. If people across the border have less money, they will spend less in our shops, hotels and restaurants.
A poor and politically unstable Andalusia and wider Spain impacts on Gibraltar in all sorts of ways, including the political.
The kneejerk reaction of the Partido Popular and other politicians of the right, is to bring Gibraltar down to the Campo's level and not to attempt to raise that area up.
Hence the inexplicable emphasis on attempting to ruin Gibraltar's economy, which is the powerhouse of the Bay Zone, at the very time when a strong Gibraltar can offer hope to the unemployed and struggling businesses across the fence.
