Until 2008, the Spanish economy was regarded as one of the most dynamic within the EU. However, the mainstays of the economy were tourism and a booming housing market and construction industry, and so the global economic crisis of 2008-9 hit the country hard.

BBC: Spain profile

Whether the ONS will feel the same way about other schemes to support investment in housing, construction or other parts of the real economy is less clear.

BBC: A Plan B for the UK? (Part 2)

The claims have been important in 2010 as many companies have slowed down their recruiting as trepidation about the economy persisted, and as thousands of jobs related to the housing market, particularly in construction, were eliminated.

FORBES: Jobless Claims at Pre-Recession Levels