200 euros a month per child: families demand help

Around 200 euros a month for every child until they turn 18: that is the payment Spain’s large-family federation wants for parents, starting with their first child. The Spanish Federation of Large Families presented the proposal in Madrid on 22 October as part of ten demands it plans to send to political parties before the 29 November election.

The federation says raising and educating children puts a heavy strain on family budgets. It points to figures showing that poverty affects almost a third of children in Spain. It also says some benefits count only the first three or four children, leaving larger families worse off.

More leave and help with everyday costs

For large families, the federation wants an extra week of birth leave for each parent. It says households with four, five or more children have greater care needs.

It also wants help with school meals, which it says cost around 120 euros per child each month. And it argues that municipal charges, water bills and electricity bills should take family size into account.

A change to large-family rules

Families with four or more children should qualify for the special large-family category, the federation says. It also wants better tax relief that reflects the costs of raising children, including housing, education, transport and childcare.

The federation is pressing for a change for separated or divorced parents, too. It says one parent currently loses their place on the large-family certificate automatically, even if they continue to meet their parental responsibilities. Separately, it wants large-family rights to continue until the youngest child turns 26 if that child is still studying.

Topics: Social affairs

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com