Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

80 percent of Spaniards blame accommodation aimed at foreigners for rent rises

Up to 79.2 percent of Spaniards believe that tourist accommodation as well as seasonal rentals and properties bought as investments are contributing to a decrease in the housing supply available for regular rentals and driving up rental prices overall.

That’s according to a survey of 2,200 people commissioned by MEP Estrella Galán of hard-left Spanish party Sumar.

The survey reflects support for initiatives that regulate seasonal and room rentals and protect people who rent under these types of contracts which offer far less rights for tenants than long-term rental contracts.

Among the measures supported are putting a cap on real estate agency fees, deposits and other rental expenses (78.1 percent strongly or somewhat agree); limiting seasonal rentals in high-demand areas (75.8 percent) and converting seasonal contracts into permanent contracts (73.6 percent strongly or somewhat agree).

Spain to reform pharmaceutical co-payment system

Spain's Minister of Health, Mónica García, announced on Tuesday the approval of a new royal decree-law amending the country's pharmaceutical co-payment system with the aim of protecting those on middle and low incomes.

García said that this reform “modernises the pharmaceutical co-payment system to make it more progressive. It makes it more responsive to social realities and more consistent with the principle that no one should be denied access to necessary treatment for financial reasons”.

The change has been jointly promoted by the Ministries of Health and Finance and aims to strengthen equity in access to medicine and treatments, including by expanding contribution levels for working people and their dependents, which are being increased from three to six income brackets and adjusting the co-payment percentages more progressively.

Pollen levels soar in Spain

Pollen levels are at their peak in Spain this week, with Spanish media reporting that the highest levels will be reached on Thursday.

Pollen levels have risen progressively through the week until they peak on Thursday, particularly across large areas of inland Spain and the west of the peninsula.

According to reports from El Tiempo, levels will be particularly severe in parts of Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, western Andalusia and much of Castilla y León, where levels will rise from moderate to high on Thursday The north and some coastal areas will see lower concentrations.

Spain's Zara becomes world’s most valuable fashion brand

Spanish fashion chain Zara has become the most valuable fashion brand in the world, new rankings have revealed.

Market research firm Kantar has published its annual ranking of the world’s 100 most valuable brands. Zara, the Spanish company owned by Amancio Ortega, has taken the top position and dethroned Nike as the most valuable brand in the fashion world.

Zara’s value has grown by 18 percent over the past year, exceeding $44 billion and, in doing so, leaving behind the iconic sportswear brand, which topped the ranking in recent years.