– Toilet paper restrictions imposed on schoolchildren in Spain in latest austerity cuts (Telegraph, Dec. 6, 2011):
Schoolchildren in Catalonia are the latest victims of austerity cuts with authorities instructing them to limit their use of lavatory paper in a bid to save money.
The northeastern region has been ordered to rein in its deficit and has embarked on a series of stringent austerity cuts.
The latest edict issued by the region’s ministry of education instructs state schools to cut “excessive consumption” of toilet roll among pupils and limit the quota to a maximum of 25 metres per child per month.
This most recent penny saving measure comes amid widespread cuts to education budgets across Spain that has led to regular protests in the streets by teachers.
Doctors in debt laden Catalonia have also been called out on strike in recent weeks angry at health budget cuts that have left public hospitals over stretched.
Spain’s autonomous regions have been forced by the central government to reduce their spending to help meet the nation’s budget deficit reduction target.
Fresh austerity cuts are expected under the conservative Popular Party, which ousted the Socialists to win an absolute majority on November 20 and whose leader Mariano Rajoy will be sworn in as Prime Minister on December 22.