Spain to approve more cuts to education, health

MADRID – Spain's conservative government is meeting to approve a €10 billion ($13 billion) package of spending cuts and increased charges in education and health, part of an austerity drive to reduce its deficit and convince investors it won't need a bailout.

Speaking in Colombia on the eve of Friday's meeting, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the measures were necessary because there was no money to pay for the services.

The measures include hikes in what people covered by the state health system pay for medicines over the counter.

In education, the government plans to approve increases in university entry fees, raise pupil-teacher ratios in schools and working hours for teachers.