Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun

I agree many of these smaller businesses could go to the wall, many were pining their hopes on the Easter Break, which was a wash out last year, then the Gota Fria in September.

So this year was probably make or break for many.

As bad as this might sound during this tough time for all of us; this situation could weed out the "cowboy - ferry" builders, electricians, plumbers and all illegally working - non registered people from all EU and non-EU countries here in Spain.. Which would be a good thing for the government's balance sheet, screwed over legal residents who hire these lowlifes to perform work and legally registered businesses.

Your TV show is also just that - a TV show. Take it with a grain of salt as they say..

I'm a big fan of the show too but way before the Covid 19 crisis I wondered how many of the people featuring on the show were legals and what due diligence channel 5 had done before broadcasting that Bill and Jean from Solihull and moved into their caravan in Villasol 5 years ago. In one respect these folks are harmless only looking for a sunny retirement but on the other hand they could easily be illegal immigrants. I guess it's all going to come out in the wash.

Let's hope it gets to where it's needed asap.

Not totally as cut and dried.

As I am fully legal and no help for me and I have Residencia.

My choice is to pay Autonomo at the lower rate suspend for 2 months but then go on normal rate of €370 per month. I struggle with the lower rate so all those "illegal" businesses people bang on about may have no choice as that is starting to look like the only option for many as they don't earn enough.

Many people I know also have extended their borrowing power of family and friends.

I asked the bank for a 300 overdraft to  over food and Autonomo and was told no as I had no money in the bank! Errrr reason for overdraft.

Life is not black and white that is all I am saying before people judge.

Unfortunately if you are waiting for EU help you may be hung out to dry. Italy and Spain pleaded for an EU ‘Marshall Plan’ to lift their already flagging economies, which have never fully recovered from the sovereign debt crisis which followed the last recession. But they were rebuffed by Germany and the Netherlands. They also asked for ‘coronabonds’ to fund the recovery from the crisis, only for that to be dismissed, too. Angela Merkel insisted that Italy and Spain, both deeply damaged from three weeks’ lockdown, apply instead to the European Stability Mechanism, which southern countries blame for the depth of Greece’s problems ten years ago. Unlike Britain, Spain and Italy cannot quantitatively-ease their way out of this crisis because, as members of the Euro, the control of their money supply is in the hands of the European Central Bank.

Many have been caught out by the Covid-19 crisis, but no institution has been left looking quite so helpless as the EU.

I agree.  My husband is self employed and the lawyer is still trying to find out if he can claim anything.  They still billed him for his auto mono this month though. 

One disappointing aspect of the crisis is the number of anti EU people gloating how well the UK is placed to weather recession in comparison to the European countries worst hit. It seems they're not satisfied with winning the Referendum,  they want to see the EU suffer and break up. Not only is it disappointing but they seem to also be able to predict the future.

QE may not be available to Spain or Italy but there is no doubt that the EU will have to ensure that Spain and Italy do not suffer disproportionate hardship because that in itself will indeed risk the future security of the EU .

I believe that in the end, they will. And I believe trade between the EU countries will become stronger and more protectionist to the EU map than ever before.

The UK may have QE but it has yet to agree trade deals with Europe, the US, or indeed any country, and it may just find that the exit from the EU came at precisely the wrong time. 

Obviously, time will tell, sad times for all, let's not bury the corpse until it's dead.

Steve

With the Herd immunity plan still seemingly in limbo in the UK, any large increase in infections could bring about total

isolation of the UK and cause a forced request to rejoin the EU.