Students in Madrid say they're angry over Spanish cuts

By Nomia Iqbal
Newsbeat reporter in Madrid Paulo Frisse (centre) busks in Madrid to try to make some money

Spain has become the latest European country to ask for a bailout to get its finances back on track.

The country will receive up to £80 billion in loans from other members of the eurozone, which doesn't include the UK.

The money will go to support Spanish banks, which are struggling because of bad property loans.

Demonstrations

Paulo Frisse gave up on getting an education in Spain a while ago.

The 20-year-old spends most of his days busking with four friends on the hot streets of Madrid.

"There's been so many cuts to the education system," he says.

"People like me have no hope so I'm trying to make the best living I can doing what I love, which is singing."

His anger at the cuts isn't unique.

There were huge student demonstrations across Spain against austerity measures targeting education on 29 February.

Last month, schools and universities in Spain closed in protest.

The Spanish government has targeted cuts on the education and health programs to drive down the country's deficit.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the measures were necessary because local governments have spent so much over the last few years and this is the best way to save money.

But young people in Madrid say they're paying the price.

Rafa Martinez, 23 and his friend Victor Alonso, 23 are eating frozen yoghurt in a cafe.

"We are both studying but accept there is nothing for us in Spain.

"We're hoping to leave and go work in the UK or Germany eventually because our country is such a mess."

Making money

Unemployment in Spain is the highest in the EU at 24%.

Nearly half of Spain's under-25s are out of work.

Some say they have hit a desperate low.

As darkness falls in the main square, restaurants fill up with people wanting a cold beer and some food.

Down one of the grimy streets are young women milling about approaching tourists. They are the young sex workers hoping to make money.

Only 19 years old, one woman didn't want to be named.

"There's more competition now," she says glancing at the other women near her.

"I guess it's the quickest and easiest way for us to make money."

Away from the street and into the city centre, the Puerto del Sol, 26-year-old Melina Beneporta is setting up her street act as a fire juggler.

She says: "It makes me angry that politicians say there's no money for us but as soon as the banks ask for all this cash, they may get it."