Spain to close most coalmines in €250m transition deal

Agreement with unions includes early retirement for miners, re-skilling and environmental restoration

Spain is to shut down most of its coalmines by the end of the year after government and unions struck a deal that will mean a250m (221m) will be invested in mining regions over the next decade.

Pedro Sinchez's new leftwing administration has moved quickly on environmental policy, abolishing a controversial "sunshine tax" on the solar industry, and announcing the launch of Spain's long-delayed national climate plan next month.