From August 1 to October 31 this year, new minimum consumer budget (MCB) amounts will be in effect in Belarus for eight socio-demographic population groups. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The per capita MCB for a family of four will be Br675,980 per month from August 1 this year. The new MCB for a family of four will increase by 28.8%. This is due to the rise in prices for food products and manufactured goods in January-June, as well as the increase in tariffs for household and transport services, preschool and cultural services, the department explained. As a reminder, the per capita MCB for a family of four serves as the basis for determining citizens' eligibility for preferential loans and subsidies for the construction (reconstruction) or acquisition of housing. The main expenditure items of the per capita MCB for a family of four, at June 2011 prices, are as follows: food products – 58.9%, clothing, linen, footwear – 15.7%, housing and utility services – 7.1%, household services, transport, communication – 5%, cultural and household goods – 8.3%, cultural and recreational activities – 1.5%, contributions and payments – 1.5%, sanitary and hygiene items, medicines – 2%. Per capita MCBs have also been approved for a young family with one child – Br699,190, the working-age population – Br858,950, pensioners – Br671,770, students – Br623,990, children under 3 years of age – Br513,690, children aged 3 to 6 years – Br626,260, and children aged 6 to 14 years – Br755,880. According to specialists, in accordance with the legislation, the minimum consumer budget represents the expenses for purchasing a set of consumer goods and services to meet a person's basic physiological and socio-cultural needs. The minimum consumer budget is used as a social standard for forecasting changes in the population's living standards, strengthening social support for citizens in need, and forming a system of national economic proportions and priorities that ensure a gradual approximation of citizens' consumption to scientifically based levels.-0-

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