1 November, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. Belarus has approved new average per capita minimum consumer budgets (MCB) for eight socio-demographic groups of the population. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Department of Integrated Problems of Social and Labour Sphere Development of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The average per capita minimum consumer budget for a family of four, from 1 November 2012 to 31 January 2013, amounts to Br1,391,530 per month. This is 4.5% higher than the standard that was in effect from 1 August to 31 October 2012 (Br1,332,100). According to specialists, the main expenditure items of the average per capita MCB for a family of four in September 2012 prices are as follows: food products – 55.6%, clothing, linen, footwear – 22.3%, housing and utility services – 4.8%, household services, transport, communication – 4.7%, cultural and household items – 7.9%, sanitary and hygiene items, medicines – 2.3%, cultural and educational events and recreation – 1.3%, contributions and payments – 1.1%. Average per capita minimum consumer budgets have also been approved for a young family of three – Br1,452,620, the working-age population – Br1,745,000, pensioners – Br1,358,780, students – Br1,360,790, children under 3 years of age – Br1,080,530, children aged 3 to 6 years – Br1,289,580, children aged 6 to 18 years – Br1,562,920. The Ministry explained that the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Formation and Use of the Minimum Consumer Budget" establishes the legal framework for the definition and use of MCB. The minimum consumer budget represents the expenses for purchasing a set of consumer goods and services to meet the basic physiological and socio-cultural needs of a person. Minimum consumer budgets are approved quarterly by resolution of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus at the prices of the last month of the quarter for eight socio-demographic groups of the population. MCB is used as a social standard for forecasting changes in the living standards of the population, strengthening social support for citizens in need, and substantiating the minimum levels of state social guarantees.