ARCHIVED - Spanish government unveils new energy measures to benefit 40 per cent of households

The savings on gas and electricity will be focused on the most vulnerable households in Spain

1. The electricity social bonus will be extended so that 1,300,000 households benefit. The amount of energy subject to the discounted rate will be increased to 15% and the discount itself will go from 65% to 80% for the vulnerable.
2. The government has created a new, temporary category of electricity consumers who will now be entitled to a 40% discount on their bills. The measure will only apply to low-income workers and will mean real savings for around one and a half million additional households.
3. The budget for the thermal social bonus for this year and next has been doubled. This will allow the amount of minimum aid for vulnerable families to be increased by 40 euros, while the average aid will be doubled to around 375 euros per home.
4. Homes that are part of communities with centralised natural gas heating will see their rates regulated for the first time, meaning that the quarterly increase in prices will be limited at the end of next year.