Gillian Merron announces new advice surgeries in Spain

The following article has been posted on the UK in Spain - Foreign and Commonwealth Office website today.

"Responding to calls for help during the economic crisis, Gillian Merron MP, Minister for Consular Affairs will be announcing the launch of a new advice surgery run in partnership between the British Consular Service, Age Concern, and the Department for Work and Pensions. The surgeries will run every two weeks from 10-11.30 am at two different venues across the Alicante region - consular staff and partners will be going to the areas where they're needed most, including sessions run from the Age Concern centre in Torrevieja. Confidentiality for customers will be assured.

Surgeries will offer a range of advice about pensions, benefits (including eligibility for Spanish unemployment and other benefits), healthcare, charitable organisations, moving back to the UK, and other issues of concern in times of economic hardship. Advice on residency, and notarial services will also be provided by consular teams at the sessions.

Other services run by the Consular team and partner organisations include

• Advice Roadshows with presentations from the Department for Work and Pensions team in Spain, Age Concern/the Royal British Legion
• Advice packs in both hard and electronic format on living in Spain
• Updated information on any changes to your benefits and entitlements on the UK in Spain website
  
• A large range of consular services including passports, notarial work, and visas
• Regular columns and news sent to the English Language media in Spain with advice on moving back to the UK, healthcare provision in Spain, and other issues

On her visit to Spain, the Minister will be meeting many residents, including older British expats and hearing about their lives in Spain; she'll also be hearing from community representatives in Alicante, Denia, Benidorm and Torrevieja, taking part in an advice roadshow, meeting local authority representatives, tour operators and partners, and hearing about the modernisation of the Spain Consular network."