The Government meets its social obligations to Ukrainians and makes social policy more effective. This was emphasized by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during a Question Time with the Government at the Verkhovna Rada on October 6.

According to him, over the first eight months of 2023, UAH 346.5 billion (more than 18% of total expenditures) was allocated from the general fund of the state budget for social security, of which UAH 181 billion was allocated for pensions and more than UAH 117 billion for various types of benefits.

"We are simultaneously changing the system, making it more transparent and efficient. We are pursuing a new philosophy of social policy," said Denys Shmyhal.

Among the innovations is the centralization of social payments through the Pension Fund of Ukraine. Carrying out digitalization, in particular, creating a Unified Social Information System that will unite all registers, making the process of providing social support transparent and understandable. Implementation of the principle "money follows the person".

"We plan to create a competitive market for social services. They will be purchased by a single centralized purchaser, and the services will be provided by individuals, NGOs and communities themselves," the Prime Minister said.

The reform of the pension system is also on the agenda. According to the Head of Government, it is planned to introduce a points-based system for the pay-as-you-go pension. This means that the amount of the pension will depend on how much money a person has paid as a contribution, on which points will be calculated, and how many years this person have worked.

An important area of the Government's work is the veterans' policy, the key elements of which are the reform of the Military Qualification Commission and the Medical Service Commission and the introduction of the Veterans' Assistant.

Denys Shmyhal noted that the Government has already introduced a number of economic and social programs, which are used by veterans in particular. Thus, under the eRobota program, UAH 47 million has already been accrued as grant assistance to veterans and their families.

In addition, the eOselia mortgage program has been expanded. War veterans and their families have been granted access to preferential loans at 7% interest rate. Veterans are also priority participants in the eVidnovlennia program.

According to Denys Shmyhal, it is no less important to perpetuate the memory of fallen soldiers, which includes the erection of war memorials, the National Military Memorial Cemetery, as well as renaming streets and installing memorial signs.