Unemployment grew in Spain during February, with more than 82,000 people losing their jobs, a rise of two percent compared to January (read article in Castilian here, La Vanguardia). This brings the total number of people without work in Spain to 4,130,625, the highest since records began in 1996. Although the figure is significantly less than the 154,058 who were made unemployed in February 2009, it is still the second highest unemployment figure for a February and is the seventh consecutive month that the number of people without work has risen. In Catalunya, the number of unemployed also rose last month to bring the total to just below 600,000 (read article in Catalan here, Avui). Almost 13,500 lost their jobs in the autonomous community and the total now claiming unemployment benefit here is 597,287. This represents a rise of 3.2 percent compared to January. In February 2009, almost 23,000 people lost their jobs in Catalunya, but despite this overall year-on-year fall, the Catalan minister for Employment, Mar Serna, said the numbers were “difficult and worrying.”

Also in the news: Spanish government to give credit to small and medium-sized businesses (read full article in Castilian here, El Periodico); Alleged relationship between Venezuelan government and Basque terrorist group ETA causes tension with Spain (read full article in Castilian here, El Periodico); Salt tries to ease racial tensions with creation of group including council, police and immigrant representatives to discuss issues (read full article in Catalan here, Avui); Palau de la Música accused using false disability sticker for parking (read full article in Catalan here, Avui)