The Government is open to the Fidesz parliamentary group's latest proposal for a further reduction in public utility charges, the Minister of State heading the Prime Minister's Office said at a press conference in Hódmezővásárhely on Tuesday. Public utility charges must be reduced by at least a further 10 percent before the start of the heating season, János Lázár stated.

The status of at least 500 thousand families with foreign currency based loans must also be put in order before the end of the year. The Government discusses this issue at every cabinet meeting, the Minister of State said, adding that he hopes a solution will be found very soon.

Tax revenues are required for the country to operate, but if purchasing basic meats is a problem for some people, then the Government must consider reducing value added tax, he stated. For this reason, the Prime Minister has asked the Minister of Rural Development and the Minister of National Economy to examine the economic and social effects of a possible reduction of the VAT on basic meat products such as chicken and pork.

(Prime Minister’s Office)