The Council of Ministers approves a royal decree with a direct grant of €45.3 million to cover extraordinary expenses in Ceuta since July 30. The Treasury details the allocation: €40.6 million for current expenses and €4.6 million for capital.
The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday a royal decree that includes a direct grant of €45.3 million for the autonomous city of Ceuta. The regulation, which also incorporates measures for financial stability, aims to cover the extraordinary expenses arising from the migration crisis that began on July 30, as announced by the Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, at the press conference following the Council. The information has been published by elespanol.com.
The allocation of the grant is divided into two parts: €40.6 million for current expenses and €4.6 million for capital expenses. The minister explained that the figure is not arbitrary, but was agreed upon between his department and the city government to ensure financial stability and sufficiency during a complex time.
"They are to finance essential services provided by the city in areas such as the environment, social services, public health, education, security, civil protection, supplies, markets or fish markets," detailed España.
The royal decree also establishes a differentiated treatment of the extraordinary expenses that Ceuta has had to face due to the crisis. These will be accounted for separately from ordinary expenses to keep them identified.
Furthermore, the regulation exempts Ceuta from the obligation to formulate an economic financial plan in 2026 or 2027. This exemption responds to the fact that, as a consequence of these extraordinary expenses, the city could incur some non-compliance with budgetary stability objectives or the spending rule.
"With these agreed measures, financial stability is guaranteed in these months, and they will be able to face all the expenses they have incurred and are incurring at this moment without any difficulty," defended the Minister of Finance.
Regarding the direct aid approved by the Executive weeks ago, the minister revealed that as of this morning, 1,909 applications have been submitted. Of these, 1,383 correspond to individuals, mostly self-employed, and 526 to legal entities, mainly SMEs. Of the total, 1,020 applications have already been agreed upon, and the Tax Agency has begun effective payment amounting to €9 million.
"Approximately 50% of the applications are already processed, authorized, and being deposited into current accounts these days," emphasized España.
The minister also highlighted that, at the request of the city government, the aid that Ceuta receives from the Ministry of Finance to finance the desalination plant has been increased by €2 million, as approved by a previous Council of Ministers.
The measures approved on Tuesday aim to ensure the financial stability of Ceuta over the coming months and allow the city to face the expenses arising from the migration crisis without difficulties. The regulation comes into effect upon its publication in the Official State Bulletin.
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