Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office János Lázár announced on Thursday that the Government has decided on the construction of 350 kilometres of new roads worth HUF 600 bn. during the 2014–2018 period.
We need joint action for Hungarians in Transcarpathia
Announcing the decisions made by the Government at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, at the “Government info 3” press conference Minister Lázár said that the Government has reviewed the Ukrainian situation and has come to the conclusion that, due to the deterioration of the social situation of Hungarians living there, support from the kin-state has become necessary. He said that the Government is again turning to Budapest and all county-level municipalities to request that they assume responsibility for smaller individual Hungarian communities in Transcarpathia, and that they support them in order to avoid humanitarian disaster. The Government has an interest in a peaceful resolution in Ukraine and attaches great importance to the country’s integrity and stability, the Minister stressed, adding that Hungary is ready to cooperate with the Ukrainian government in order to achieve stability.
The Government has called a halt to construction of the M4 motorway
Speaking about the M4 motorway, Mr. Lázár pointed out that the Government has called a halt to its construction, as the European Union had refused to finance it. He explained that he has ordered the Minister of National Development to have a detailed statement of accounts prepared based on the work completed so far, and to try to “recover” the prepayments already paid for future work. The Minister was also asked to make a proposal on how Szolnok could be linked into Hungary’s motorway network.
Mr. Lázár said that a legislative package aimed at the acceleration of transport projects will be submitted to Parliament. The aim of this would be to ensure that in the future projects which currently take an average of 6.5 years to complete can be completed within 2.5 years.
the Government has decided on the construction of 350 kilometres of new roads worth HUF 600 bn. during the 2014–2018 period.
Local governments affected by the Buda-Cash scandal will receive two billion forints
The Government has again discussed the issue of local governments affected by the brokerage scandal: it has been decided to offer assistance to 84 settlements, in order to save them from bankruptcy. Those concerned could receive the money in the coming days.
A decision has also been made to allow those 115 local governments which had not fallen into debt – and which were therefore excluded from the debt consolidation package for local governments – to apply for development funds of HUF 10 bn. this year. The Government will also pay fines on behalf of the 140 settlements which were penalised by the European Commission for irregularities related to developments.
The Minister also reported that the Government has approved a proposal by the Hungarian National Bank for increasing the upper limit for insurance provided by the Investor Protection Fund from twenty thousand euros to one hundred thousand euros.
From September onwards children in crèches and kindergartens will receive three free meals a day
Mr. Lázár announced that the Cabinet had decided that the state will guarantee three free meals a day to children in crèches and kindergartens. Only the wealthiest parents will be charged, and 320,000 children will receive the meals free of charge.
He also announced that the Job Protection Action Plan will be extended to include agricultural workers between the ages of 25 and 55, and their employment will be supported by a welfare contribution allowance of 14.5 per cent.
The Government proposes that the advertising tax be a maximum of 5.3 per cent
According to the Government’s proposal to Parliament, the advertising tax rate should be a maximum of 5.3 per cent, Minister Lázár announced. He said that, according to their calculations, this tax type should generate revenues of HUF 7–8 bn. The question of introduction of a zero-rate band remains open. No final decision has been made on this matter, he said; he added that the Government will try to favour Hungarian SMEs, but that further discussions with the European Commission are needed on this.
(MTI/Prime Minister's Office)
