Inflation up

INFLATION in Las Canaria is the highest in Spain, reaching a record high of 4.6 per cent on Friday, April 14.

Food and non­alcoholic drinks are thought to be the major culprits driving the rise, with their prices going up by a staggering 17.4 per cent year­on­year, well above the national average. Spiralling inflation is causing issues for residents in Las Canarias. Prices within the hospitality industry have also increased by 9.4 per cent, while leisure and culture costs have increased by 5.7 per cent. Alcohol and tobacco prices have also gone up by 4 per cent. It’s a grim picture for the locals, who have seen the cost of living rise faster than their wages can keep up with.

However, it’s not all bad news! Housing and transport costs have dropped by a staggering 15.3 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively. The textile and shoe industry has also seen a decrease in costs of 1.3 per cent, while the cost of medicine has fallen by 1.8 per cent.

Betty Henderson

SPANISH authorities held a temporary closure of the Ceuta border with Morocco on Friday, April 14, after observing an attempt by hundreds of individuals from sub­Saharan countries to cross the border illegally.

National Police and Guardia Civil forces were deployed to the border crossing between Morocco and Spain’s enclave in North Africa on Friday morning, where several officers remain. Spanish authorities said they are working with Moroccan authorities to contain movements by illegal immigrants.

Hours later the state of emergency ended and regular traffic resumed at the border crossing.

According to official data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, 220 immigrants have entered Ceuta and Melilla illegally so far this year, a significant decrease from the 1,122 entries recorded during the same period last year. Of those 220 entries, 199 were recorded in Ceuta.

The Minister of the Interior, Fernando GrandeMarlaska, said that migration policy is a key focus for his department which has sought to build agreements with partners including

Morocco. Spain’s relationship with Morocco has reached several flashpoints during Marlaska’s tenure, but appears to be on the mend.