There will be no reduction in the number or volume of social services in the country. This was assured today in Varna by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov.
He specified that the hot lunch program, which was funded by Europe, will also be preserved, but its term is expiring. Gutsanov explained that the ministry is already holding talks with the National Association of Municipalities to optimize the work on providing social services. He expressed confidence that the results will improve and the money will not only be enough, but there will also be enough for the development of new programs.
Regarding the budget for this year, the minister commented that it is a serious success that the social benefits of Bulgarians are not being encroached upon. He stressed that there will be no tax increases, and that the Swiss rule for pensions, which will be increased by 8.6 percent from mid-year, will be maintained.
The Minister of Social Affairs is categorical: There will be no tax increases, social benefits will be preserved, pensions will be updated
Gutsanov added that he would like the 2026 budget to increase benefits for young families. According to him, it would be very good to increase the amount for a second child - 780 leva, which has not been updated for three years. According to the minister, it would be good for maternity leave for the second year to be tied to the parent returning to work.
Currently, in these cases, 50 percent of 780 leva is received, but if the percentage is higher, mothers will have an incentive to rejoin the economy, Gutsanov pointed out.
In Varna today, the Social Minister joined the celebrations on the occasion of March 3. He expressed his satisfaction that the national holiday was preserved as such and emphasized that every year on this date thousands of people gather on Shipka and this shows how strong the Bulgarian identity is and how grateful our people are for the freedom won with a lot of blood.