One issue high on every expats priority list when moving to live in Spain, when they have children, is the quality of the education that they will receive so the news that a new scheme will allow overseas schools to be accredited by the British Government for the first time will surely be pleaseing to note.

For many expats living in Spain it appears that the distressed property market, high levels of unemployment in Spain, and the weak pound have combined to shatter many a dream of enjoying the sunshine, culture and traditions of Spain. A recent survey reported that almost 75% of British expats in Spain are considering moving back to the UK.

Despite the current exchange rate which has made Spain seem much more expensive for many expats living in Spain, there is some good, if not surprising, news which despite Which? saying recently that Spain may no longer be such great value, shows that many goods in Spain are cheaper than their equivalent in the UK.

On a typical monthly shop expats in Spain can save up to 100€ on a household shop, and petrol is cheaper at 1.09€ a litre in Spain compared to 1.26€ in the UK

Although many are warning that Britain is at risk of plunging back into recession based on the remarkably low growth figures (0.1%) compared to an expected 0.4%, the 18 month recession has officially ended and early indications are that it is good news for the travel industry, and therefore one hopes for expats living in Spain hoping to see the tourism related business that so many depend on for their income pick up.

On the same day as the UK announced that it has formely exited the recession, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have confirmed what many have been saying, that Spain will remain in recession throughout 2010, with low growth forecast for 2011.

Not before time many will be saying, but it does seem that Spain is finally waking up to the idea of using the internet, and in particular social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to promote the country.

Turespaña recently presented a new online strategy at Fitur to ustiise the popular social networking sites to allow Spaniards to contact foreigners and promote Spain.

Spanish Air Traffic Controllers are threatening to disrupt flight plans for thousands of expats living in Spain either wanting to fly back to the UK to spend time with their families and take advantage of the current exchange rates, or wanting to fly out to their holiday homes and get some sunshine over the Easter break.

The graphic images that will soon be displayed on all cigarretes sold in Spain are certainly graphic, some would say disgusting, and many say they are going to far. They will be introduced soon, althought cigarettes manufactured before their introduction will contine to be sold in the current packets.

Passengers who fly with no-frills carriers leave a softer “carbon footprint” than those on full-service airlines, new research has shown

Apparantly the combination of newer fleets, direct flights and a higher ’seat density’ means that the budget airline flights can produce 35% of the carbon emissions per passenger of the larger ‘full-service’ airines.