This Treasure prepares a shock plan for positions that allow energy savings in the field of public administration, through the re-promoting of telework, without affecting the functioning of public services.
“Encourage this no mobility nor energy consumption that can be avoided in the future, because energy, although one has the wrong feeling that one can pay for it, the country as a whole cannot and we all have to contribute with a rational use,” explained María Jesús Montero, Minister of the Treasury and Public Functions. In an interview with EFE.
The Treasury will continue the agreement reached in April 2021 with the public sector associations in which they were established. Remote work 3 days a week For the post-pandemic phase, it has decided to limit teleworking to a single day per week due to progress in vaccination after last September.
The plan will also design a smarter use of energy and more efficient technology in public buildings. street lighting-“to be able to accompany and adapt to programs in which buildings are used in situations where public employees are more concentrated”.
Gas stations get paid
Montero underlined the implementation of the measures already adopted to deal with the energy crisis resulting from the occupation of Ukraine “in record time” a bonus of 20 cents per liter of fuel and the Tax Office’s effort to anticipate this reduction at gas stations.
Treasury sources said that 303m euros has already been paid. 4,850 companiesmore than 98% of those asking for advances.
For the Minister, as well as certain cases of gas stations closing across multiple universes 11,000 service stations“The important thing is that the discount is applied” and it has an immediate effect for the consumer as of April 1st.
This measure is added to the tax deductions applied to the electricity bill of 12.000 million TL. 30 June, however, the Government will extend it if necessary to stabilize prices.
“we have adaptability (…) and we are showing signs that we are ready for duty,” said Montero, who believes that “the fight” is necessary with the approach of protracted war.
Setting a temporary maximum price for gas in the wholesale electricity market, in line with a joint proposal by Spain and Portugal that Montero hopes will get. brussels authorization this month.
Does not predict energy scarcity
Montero does not envisage a “scenario”. energy shortage, Since Spain is less dependent on Russian gas and oil than other European countries, it acknowledged that “no country in the future is exempt from it”.
For this reason, he underlined that improvement works are carried out in the medium term. strategic reserves In the deployment of energy and renewable and more sustainable technologies in the country.
“We should note that the country must be self sufficient for example, what happens with energy storage, these are critical elements,” he said.
tax reform
“It is not necessary to rule out what can be undertaken at this time. progressive form Some arrangements” assure the minister, referring to the tax reform promised by the Government, which sought a “fairer” tax system in which “those with the most” contribute more in terms of income and business gains.
“The urgency is to overcome the uncertainty caused by the economic consequences of the war, but undoubtedly State won’t park ( tax reform) and when the economic situation calls for it, it remains on the agenda without dogmatism, or that tax cuts are the paradigm for everything, or tax increases,” he added.
In this sense, he was once again criticized. “fiscal populism” The PP, who entrusted everything to tax cuts only when in opposition.