Raising the economy by improving family income Prime Minister António Costa highlighted a key pillar of the Government's approach to the virtuous circle of economic and social policy

MIL OSI-C. Mediterranean Region: Portugal

Prime Minister António Costa said that one of the decisive pillars in the Government's approach to the virtuous circle of economic and social policy continues to be the revival of the economy through the improvement of family income.

In Lisbon, after a meeting with the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, Antonio Costa said that civil servants are also part of this virtuous circle: "This is why we started by replacing the wages that had been cut, which is why this year we have taken a new step with the thawing of careers. If no further action is taken, the increase in Public Service expenditure next year will be 2.9%. "

The Prime Minister pointed out that the Government is working "to see if there is scope to go a little further and, in addition to the unfreezing of careers, there may be, for the first time in many years, an effective salary increase, not just replacements or defrosting '.

António Costa predicted a good budget for 2019 but reiterated the need to "wait until October 15 to have a final vision of the budget proposal, which will always have, in any way, the identity marks of what have been the budgets of this majority".

"Replacing incomes, restoring investment conditions, and setting certain accounts to meet our deficit reduction targets that are essential if we are to continue to reduce our debt, which is still very high," he said.

Benefits of Economic Strategy

The Prime Minister stressed that the economic strategy implemented by the Government is bringing benefits such as boosting confidence that encouraged investment, creating 321,000 jobs in the last three years and dropping the unemployment rate from 12.7% to 6.7%.

The Government also ensured the restoration of income, reduction of the tax burden, compliance with the rules of consolidation budget, which led to the exit from the Excessive Deficit Procedure, the review of the international debt rating and the saving of 1,400 million euros by debt service.

"It is what allows us to do the reinforcement in education, health, and investment in infrastructures. One way of demonstrating that with common rules it is possible to follow different policies according to the will of the electorate, "he said.

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