“We’re headed back to the Franco era, when people relied on charity”
More people are working to help their less fortunate neighbors. But what is the state doing?
Welfare services swamped as recession cuts deeper into funding
Eight million Spaniards turned to public services for assistance in covering basic needs in 2010
Why the bishops are turning their backs on churches in ruins
Tensions over ownership and maintenance are nothing new
Government cuts to dependency law "most barbaric of all measures yet"
Plans for 15 percent funding slash come after pension loss and budget reductions
Eighty percent of Spaniards believe Church should pay property tax
Survey shows that Catholic institution should pay same levies as businesses and individuals Opinion is shared by 61 percent of people who vote for the conservative Popular Party
Passing on a debt to society: seniors to be charged for their medicines
Pensioners will have to pay up to 18 euros per month under new plan
Only 26 percent of most needy dependents are in care homes
Government plans changes to simplify how dependency is measured
Social services hung out to dry
Central government cuts its contribution, leaving cash-strapped regional and municipal authorities to make do and mend in providing care to the vulnerable
An increasingly female crisis
First the construction crash hit mainly male workers; and now services are crumbling Women are taking a double hit from spending cuts and may lose their employability
Justice Minister condemns “systemic violence” forcing women to abort
Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón sparks furious row inside and outside Congress Comments point to PP plans to roll back reproductive rights law
Debt relief to keep the peace
Spain has so far avoided a breakdown in social cohesion But measures to ease the suffering of indebted families may be taking too long
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