Around a third of the town’s 63,000 inhabitants work across the border (Image: Getty)
A border town that relies economically on the ability to cross in is at risk of economic chaos following a breakdown in negotiations. La Linea, a small town in Cadiz, sits close to the border with the British Overseas Territory. Nearly one-third of the town’s 63,000 inhabitants rely on being able to cross the border each day for work, but a breakdown in talks for a post- treaty has put many livelihoods at risk.
The uncertainty has seen the President of the Regional Government of Andalucia Juanma Moreno meet with the town’s Mayor Juan Franco to pledge support in a post- landscape. Reports suggest that the regional government is considering economic measures to ease the impact of increased border checks for the town’s residents.
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The land border between the two is a vital economic gateway for many (Image: Getty)
One measure under consideration is the imposition of a special fiscal regime similar to the to ease the burden on workers.
The currently offers a corporate tax rate of just 4% if companies meet strict conditions such as creating jobs and making investments in the islands.
It is hoped that easing tax requirements for those affected could ease a perceived unfairness between tax in and Gibraltar, with the Spanish paying 25% compared to 15% on the island.
Following , the border between and has become an entry point for the , bringing with it the prospect of increased checks for those passing through.
Since , Spain has so far resisted introducing measures that could increase process time across the land border.
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There are fears that long queues could become the norm if talks collapse completely (Image: Getty)
Currently, citizens have red ID cards, which allow them to cross into Spain without requiring their passport to be stamped or having to provide further evidence of their reasons for travel.
But on occasions,the border has seen long queues form, sparking fears of posturing and tit for tat retaliations as treaty negotiations falter.
London and Brussels have been locked in negotiations over a new common travel area between and , but have not yet been able to strike a deal.
In October, 12,000 protesters took to the streets of La Linea, demanding a treaty.
The protest, organised by local officials and supported by political and social groups, called for “special measures” to protect the city’s economy.