Portuguese gov't to increase allowances for families with children

Portugal will increase allowances for families with children next year, the government revealed on Monday.

Allowances for families with children will be raised from 36 to 54 euros between January and June and then to 72 euros from July 2017.

Allowances will cover at least 130,000 children, Portugal's Minister for Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Jose Antonio Vieira da Silva, said during a press conference in Lisbon to present the country's budget for social security for 2017.

During the next year, allowances will reach 145 euros and child benefits for children with single parents will rise by 35 percent next year, he said.

Portugal's 78 billion euro program forced the country to implement widespread reforms, with Portuguese citizens seeing their salaries cut and unemployment soaring.

The Socialist government led by Antonio Costa and backed by the Left Bloc and Communist Party on Friday presented the state budget for 2017 which targets a deficit reduction and vows tax cuts and pension hikes.

(APD)