The municipalities of Orihuela and Los Montesinos are amongst fifty towns across Valencia set to benefit from a European Union grant to allow the installation of free public WiFi. The European Commission announced the results of the second wave of proposals under the WiFi4EU project, from which a total of 51 municipalities in the Valencia region will receive 15,000 euro …

From 28 March 2019, it is mandatory for certain trailers taken out of the UK to be registered with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). Trailers with a gross weight of over 750kg used for commercial purposes, and those with a gross weight over 3,500kg which are used towed by private vehicles, must be …

For the 2019 working calendar in Spain, there are eight working days which will be considered national holidays, including two which will form a “bridge” around a weekend, as both November 1, All Saints Day , and December 6, Constitution Day, fall on a Friday, These are the national holidays of course, known as “red days”, and therefore we also …

The Valencia regional tourism department has published the results of this year’s social media barometer, which shows Torrevieja amongst the most talked about destinations throughout the first six months of this year. It’s the eleventh time the results have been published, a system which trolls through the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube looking for mentions of areas in …

Following a tragic summer on the roads of Spain, another disappointing buck to the trend of reducing fatalities, it is becoming increasingly clear to the DGT that a lack or responsible action by drivers can only be combated through further enforcement. The Director General of Traffic, Pere Navarro, is making it very clear, that the …

A consumer association, the Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios, or OCU, has released its annual study that looks at the prices of everyday products sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets across Spain. The aim of the report is to compare prices, partly to show an unfair balance towards the consumer, but more importantly perhaps for us, …

The councillor for tourism, Fanny Serrano, detailed various aspects relating to the data collection in a press conference, which, amongst other things, show how the tourist information offices have received a total of 11,265 visitors, and water consumption indicates a population equivalent to almost half a million people during the summer months. Serrano said that the number of inquiries that …

The beaches of the Vega Baja region, which include the Orihuela Costa, will exhibit a total of 25 prestigious blue flags this summer, which is four more than last year and in spite of all the chaos on some of the local beaches involving beach bars – or lack of them. Nevertheless, this area continues to lead all others within …

This is the list of beaches across the Alicante province which obtained a Blue Flag for quality for the 2017/2018 period, in the inspections carried out last year. Dénia Les Bovetes Les Marines Molins...

Spain has topped the list of countries for benefit fraud abroad committed against UK taxpayers, new figures reveal. More than 750 cases were investigated in Spain last year by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Abroad fraud cost taxpayers an estimated £84m in 2012/13 - up 90% in the last two years. It is now the third largest type of benefit cheating and includes fraudulent claims for Pension Credit (£52m), Housing Benefit (£19m) and Income Support (£12m).

Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, said:

"Benefits are there to help those who need it and the vast majority play by the rules and would not once dream of cheating. But there is a minority who really try to take the biscuit.

"We have safeguards in place to bring these types of cases to our attention and we will make sure benefits are stopped when there is evidence of a fraud being committed."

If you suspect a benefit cheat in Spain, then you can call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hotline on 900 554 440. It's free and confidential, and you could help to put a stop to taxpayers' money going to the wrong people.

New data shows where DWP investigators looked into 7,296 cases of suspected abroad fraud during 2013.

The top 5 nations involved were:

. Spain - 769 cases

. Pakistan - 628 cases

. Turkey - 298 cases

. India - 282 cases

. USA - 246 cases

Figures also reveal that DWP has investigated benefit entitlement for claimants living in countries as far apart as the Holy See, Somalia, China, and Iraq.

Abroad fraud includes claims by people leaving Great Britain after their claim starts, those failing to notify DWP before leaving the country or staying abroad for too long, and families who fail to report the death of someone living abroad permanently and receiving benefits.

The Government is increasing the use of data sharing with foreign countries including Spain in order to combat fraud. Details of claimants who have died whilst in Spain and elsewhere abroad are sent to the UK, helping the DWP to stop families or friends who are fraudulently continuing to claim pensions or benefits.

Richard West, Head of DWP's counter-fraud teams said:

"Cases range from people hiding foreign assets and homes to those moving abroad, either temporarily or permanently, at the taxpayers' expense.

"Benefit cheats need to know that even if they are out of the country, our teams will still investigate and where necessary bring them back to the UK to face justice."

Cases referred to DWP are investigated and where an administrative penalty or criminal prosecution is appropriate, action is taken. In all cases DWP will seek to recover all the money overpaid.

Abroad Fraud has risen to £84m in 2012/13 from £55m in 2011/12 and £44m in 2010/11.

Police in Spain are stepping up an awareness campaign asking for members of the public to be on the lookout for ten of their most wanted criminals. Five of the ten fugitives are Spanish, the rest are of foreign nationality, including two British citiz...

Spain has topped the list of countries for benefit fraud abroad committed against UK taxpayers, new figures reveal. More than 750 cases were investigated in Spain last year by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Abroad fraud cost taxpayers an estimated £84m in 2012/13 - up 90% in the last two years. It is now the third largest type of benefit cheating and includes fraudulent claims for Pension Credit (£52m), Housing Benefit (£19m) and Income Support (£12m).

Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, said:

"Benefits are there to help those who need it and the vast majority play by the rules and would not once dream of cheating. But there is a minority who really try to take the biscuit.

"We have safeguards in place to bring these types of cases to our attention and we will make sure benefits are stopped when there is evidence of a fraud being committed."

If you suspect a benefit cheat in Spain, then you can call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hotline on 900 554 440. It's free and confidential, and you could help to put a stop to taxpayers' money going to the wrong people.

New data shows where DWP investigators looked into 7,296 cases of suspected abroad fraud during 2013.

The top 5 nations involved were:

. Spain - 769 cases

. Pakistan - 628 cases

. Turkey - 298 cases

. India - 282 cases

. USA - 246 cases

Figures also reveal that DWP has investigated benefit entitlement for claimants living in countries as far apart as the Holy See, Somalia, China, and Iraq.

Abroad fraud includes claims by people leaving Great Britain after their claim starts, those failing to notify DWP before leaving the country or staying abroad for too long, and families who fail to report the death of someone living abroad permanently and receiving benefits.

The Government is increasing the use of data sharing with foreign countries including Spain in order to combat fraud. Details of claimants who have died whilst in Spain and elsewhere abroad are sent to the UK, helping the DWP to stop families or friends who are fraudulently continuing to claim pensions or benefits.

Richard West, Head of DWP's counter-fraud teams said:

"Cases range from people hiding foreign assets and homes to those moving abroad, either temporarily or permanently, at the taxpayers' expense.

"Benefit cheats need to know that even if they are out of the country, our teams will still investigate and where necessary bring them back to the UK to face justice."

Cases referred to DWP are investigated and where an administrative penalty or criminal prosecution is appropriate, action is taken. In all cases DWP will seek to recover all the money overpaid.

Abroad Fraud has risen to £84m in 2012/13 from £55m in 2011/12 and £44m in 2010/11.