Socialists to motion for increasing budget for free meals to needy children

Budapest (MTI) – The opposition Socialists want to ensure that all needy children are provided a main course on weekdays during the school holidays and will motion for increasing allocations in the central budget, a lawmaker of the party said on Saturday.

The 5.3 billion forints (EUR 16.9m) earmarked for free meals to children in socially disadvantaged families this year is an insufficient amount considering the number of those in need, Ildikó Borbély Bangó told a press conference.

To remedy the situation, the Socialist party will submit an amendment to parliament to increase the allocation by 3 billion forints, she said, adding that the number of people living in poverty had increased in proportion to cuts in the central budget in social spending.

Ruling Fidesz in response said the Socialists want “to veil” government measures supporting needy children, arguing that the budget on ensuring them free meals went up to 5.3 billion forints this year from 3 billion in 2015.

Allocations in next year’s budget will be again increased, by 1.4 billion forints, Fidesz said in a statement.

Source: MTI