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Filling 750,000 empty housesThe government is seeking ways to return to the real estate market some 750,000 residential properties that are declared empty every year, in a bid to alleviate the acute housing problem that has been created in recent years and is rapidly heading toward a social crisis with incalculable consequences.Already, in various cities abroad, disincentives like taxes and fees are being applied to keeping properties closed, with fairly encouraging results.
Low-welfare eggs from caged hens imported to UK in ‘staggering’ numbersLow-welfare eggs are flooding into the UK from abroad, the Guardian can reveal, as experts warn the effects of Brexit could cause even more to be imported.Official data reveals that between 2021 and August 2023 the number of eggs imported from Poland rose by more than 2,000%, from 46 consignments to 1,095. The number imported from Italy also increased by almost 300% between 2022 and 2023 from 72 consignments to 279, according to figures from the Animal and Plant Health Agency.The total number of consignments imported went from 422 in 2021 to 2,120 in 2022, and has already reached 2,536 in the first eight months of 2023.But the quality of products from these countries could be lower, experts have warned. A recent report showed that a large salmonella outbreak earlier this year was linked to Polish eggs. Concern has also been raised that post-Brexit trade deals could lead to a further decline in quality as low-welfare eggs from caged hens enter the UK.Minette Batters, the president of the National Farmers’ Union, said she was “staggered” by the import figures for the first eight months of 2023.The RSPCA’s head of public affairs, David Bowles, said that in 1999 the UK government agreed to a ban on caged eggs: “The public has supported this ban by buying free range eggs and would be horrified if they knew low-welfare egg products are being sneaked into this country under the radar.” He said a lot of egg imports from overseas were now dried or liquid eggs, “which don’t have to be labelled and tend to be sourced on price, not provenance”.
Real living wage rises to £12 an hour as cost of living crisis continuesThe half a million workers whose employers pay the voluntary real living wage will earn £3,000 a year above the minimum wage
Foreigners have already bought more expensive holiday homes in Greece this year compared to 2022Until the end of August 2023, the purchase and sale of holiday homes by foreigners in Greece have already exceeded the total of 2022, with the houses that have been bought being at clearly higher prices, in double digits, since the average purchase price is higher by 12.5% compared to 2022.
Tourism Sees 22.6 Million Arrivals in the 8th Month from Jan to Aug- Germans and British Lead the WayIn the eighth month, tourism in Greece witnessed a significant increase, with arrivals reaching 22.6 million visitors. Notably, Germans and British tourists held the lead in contributing to this growth according to information from the bank of Greece.
Extra-virgin olive oil may prevent Alzheimer'sNew research suggests that extra-virgin olive oil – a key component of the Mediterranean diet – may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Mouse experiments revealed changes in both cognitive performance and the appearance of nerve cells.
Greek Development ministry intensifies market inspections to combat greedflationGreek Development ministry is conducting inspections on multinational enterprises over their profit margins along with a survey to find out which products, currently offered in the Greek market, present a big difference on prices in comparison with other EU countries, Development Minister Costas Skrekas said on Tuesday.
Gov’t extends power bill subsidies for households, farmers in NovemberThe government said it will extend power bill subsidies for households and farmers in November, despite a fall in energy prices from last year, as conflict in the Middle East created upside risks.It has spent more than €10 billion since the middle of 2021, mainly in subsidizing electricity and gas bills, to support households, businesses and farmers.The government trimmed subsidies this year as electricity prices fell, but many families and businesses still struggled to pay their bills amid stubborn inflation.The energy ministry said in a statement that about 90% of Greek households and farmers will get a power bill subsidy of €25 per megawatt hour in November.The government has earmarked about €1 billion this year for power bill subsidies, a draft 2024 budget shows.
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Topic: 24/10/23 (Read 1621 times)
