Faro council despairs of minister's EN 125 promises

farocamaraFaro council has spotted that the roadworks lying half-finished at the east end of town are still covered in weeds, untouched since the announcement by Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, Sérgio Monteiro that the project would be restarted and all would be well.

Faro council has become tired of waiting and now requires concrete information from the Ministry on the resumption of work on the Variant North - connecting the Via do Infante to Faro and São Brás - and indeed, on the section of the EN 125 pothole system that runs through the Faro council area.

Portugal to return €1.27 million to Brussels

olives‘Irregularities’ in the use of funds sent to Portugal under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have been spotted and the European Commission is insisting on the return of the money.

Portugal is not alone, but this is no excuse for fiddling and a total of €57 million from 15 member states has been identified for repayment as it has been obtained or spent outside the conditions of grant aid, or for fines for late reporting.

Raise all Portuguese VAT rates to 23%, urges OECD

shoppingcentreThe OECD said today that Portugal should "continue to broaden the scope of application of the standard rate of VAT," arguing that reduced rates for certain sectors, including restaurants, "is an inadequate method" of promoting employment.

In a blow to Portugal’s restaurant and café sector which has seen more than 50,000 of its members’ businesses fold during the recession, a report out today with the nifty title 'Portugal: consolidation of structural reforms to support growth and competitiveness', which was commissioned by the Portuguese Government,  the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported that Portugal reduced VAT rates generated substantial revenue losses.

Portugal's families have record levels of bad debt

despairThe Bank of Portugal has released its May figures for bad debt amongst Portugal’s residents, the numbers do not make happy reading.

In fact the volume of bad debt is the highest ever recorded, bringing distress, family break ups, medical problems and despair to a growing section of society.

Portugal's debtors blacklist expands by 80% in a year

taxThere are now 100,000 debtors appearing on the published list - since the start of 2014 the number has grown by an average of 170 people and companies each day.

The list was started in 2009 as a way of shaming people into paying. This clearly has not worked as in five years there are over 100,000 debtors listed by the Ministry of Justice.

Rollers fly from salesrooms

rr2Rolls-Royce has welcomed a new record in sales for the year to-date.

The 1,968 vehicles sold were an increase of 33% over the same period in 2013.

Gang sold stolen goods on eBay

ebayA gang of British criminals has been sentenced for its sentenced to jail for selling shoplifted goods on eBay.

They went in search of goods to nick and targeted DIY stores, such as Homebase and B&Q in 13 counties.

Gandhi honoured by British Parliament

4801Parliament Square in London will have a statue of Mahatma Gandhi added to its collection.

A statue of the Indian political leader will stand alongside those of Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela opposite the Houses of Parliament.