VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Vladimir Putin's introductory speech:
Good afternoon,
Today we will discuss social questions regarding the drafting of the budget for 2010-1012.
However, I would like to start by telling you that I have signed several Government resolutions on these issues. These are routine resolutions but I would like to speak about them.
They are designed to consolidate social guarantees for those citizens who have lost their jobs, as well as servicemen who have performed training and/or combat assignments associated with increased risk.
First, we have decided to increase financial support for citizens who have temporarily lost their jobs and who want to start their own business. This support will almost double - from 30,000 roubles to 59,000 roubles. This is the annual sum of the biggest unemployment benefit.
In addition to this, the amount for professional retraining of the unemployed will be increased from 5,000 roubles to 11,000 roubles. The term of retraining is increased accordingly. As we agreed, this revision was conducted in close cooperation with the heads of the regions, and they requested an increase in the term. For some trades, five months are not long enough. Our colleagues believe that this term should be increased to at least six months. This means that the funding should be raised accordingly.
Furthermore, last November amendments were made to the Federal Law on the Status of Servicemen. Apart from free medical aid and treatment in sanatoriums, they received the right to specialized psychological adjustment after the performance of assignments linked with enhanced risk. The adopted Government resolution determines a procedure for this adjustment. It will be paid for from the federal budget.
Now let's discuss our agenda.
As I have already said, today we will discuss issues regarding the drafting of the federal budget for 2010-2012, and we will focus on the funding of social programmes - pension support, health care and demography.
A tangible increase in pensions and revision of the pension rights of citizens, including those who worked in the Soviet period, are a major task which we must resolve in 2010.
We are planning to increase the nominal value of pensions by 45%. The average retirement pension will be 7,946 roubles a month, and the average social pension, 4,917 roubles.
The cost of this pension reform to the budget is very high. It runs into hundreds of billions of roubles per year. Needless to say, it will be difficult for the Government and the members of Parliament to find the funds for the pension reform in conditions of declining production and reduced budget revenues due to the current global financial and economic crisis. It is time for us to think about ways we can save. We cannot do without an economising effort. This is a must.
In spite of this, we have made a conscientious decision to spend these large amounts. This is our moral duty to the older generation. It is necessary to resolve this task. We cannot postpone raising pensions anymore.
The budget for healthcare and demography should fund effective measures making sophisticated medical technology more accessible, and improving aid to patients with cardio-vascular diseases, cancers and traffic accident victims.
It will be necessary to continue the construction of perinatal clinics and centers of high medical technology.
It goes without saying that additional payments will continue to be made to district doctors, nurses and ambulance teams. The same applies to birth certificates and other priorities of the National Health Project.
I would like to emphasize that women who gave birth to second children in 2007 will be able to spend their Maternity Capital on any legal purpose, that is, pay for education or use it for the funded component of their pensions. This money can also be spent to buy housing. The option to pay a mortgage has already been granted.
Relevant funds should be provided for in the federal budget.
Let's go over to discussion now.
