Katalin Novák reported on the results and novelties of Hungarian family policy at a summit of the Political Network for Values organisation in Columbia. In a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI on Monday, the Ministry of Human Capacities’ Minister of State for Family and Youth Affairs highlighted that Hungary has become a basis of reference when it comes to family support measures.

Ms. Novák told the press that this was the third time that Political Network for Values has organised a trans-Atlantic summit. Prior to Latin America, similar events were held in the United States and Europe. According to the Minister of State, the organisation is an international network that in effect spans the whole world, and strives to bring together decision-makers to whom family values, respect for human dignity, and our Christian culture and its values, are important. Katalin Novák was previously elected the organisation’s Vice President.

At the event, the Minister of State showcased the achievements of Hungarian family policy to date and presented its latest novelties, with particular emphasis on the new, seven-point Family Protection Action Plan. She explained that as part of the latter, from 1 January mothers with at least four children will not have to pay a single cent in personal income tax in Hungary. “It is important to note that this also includes mothers whose children are already grown up, meaning that the measure is not being realised prospectively, but will be applied to all mothers with four or more children from 1 January next year”, she highlighted.

Ms. Novák spoke about several points of the Family Protection Action Plan, and about how family values are included in Hungary’s Fundamental Law (Constitution).

“I said that in Hungary we would like to increase the room for manoeuvre available to young people, and would like young people to be able to decide as freely as possible when to start a family and how many children to have, and that if they have any plans in this regard, have found their partner and would like a family, they encounter as few barriers as possible”, the Minister of State said.

“This is what Hungarian family policy is about: increasing freedom of choice”, Ms. Novák declared.

“Because a mother or father can stay at home with their small child for up to three years, or can decide to go back to work after six months while receiving all kinds of family support, since we are increasing the number of nursery school places as well as introducing childcare allowance for grandparents, so that even families in which both parents are working will have the opportunity to have another member of the family take care of their small child. We are also helping people who would like to acquire their own home, and who cannot receive help from their parents. From 1 July, in addition to the expanded loan opportunities within the Home Creation Scheme (CSOK) system, a baby shower benefit is also being introduced that provides a level of financial manoeuvrability for young people that has not been seen in a long time, if they are planning to have children and start a family. The fact that if a second child is arriving in the family, the family has the opportunity to reduce its housing mortgage, as already exists with relation to student loans, is about reducing burdens. These are the points of Hungarian family policy that I did my best to present at the summit”, she said.

“Hungarian family policy received major recognition at the conference, and not only from Columbia, but also from the other participants”, Ms. Novák said.

The Minister of State also spoke about the fact that the Hungarian delegation took note of the fact that Hungary has become a basis of reference when it comes to family support schemes, adding: “Many commenters from both Latina America and Europe mentioned Hungary as a basis of reference, explaining that Hungary is an example from which they would like to gain inspiration”.

(MTI)