Putin Focuses On Supporting Families With Children

Support for families with children remains the focus of the Russian government, Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at the meeting on economic issues.

"Of course, we remain focused – as we have repeatedly said, I would like to emphasise this once again – on supporting families with children. This year, I have suggested several new measures on this score, including an allowance for expectant mothers in need, childcare sick leave payments for children of up to eight years equal to an average wage, as well as an allowance for a child aged between 8 and 17, who is brought up by a single parent, or if a low-income family is entitled to alimony by a court decision. The allocations for these payments have also been included in the new budget," Putin said. Putin stressed that the Russian government should create an integrated support system for families with children over the next few years.

"I would like to stress it once again: we have repeatedly discussed this. Generally, the rate of what should be done is quite clear and, of course, we will have to do this starting from the moment a mother-to-be is expecting her baby right up to after her child graduates from school," Putin added.