Honorary benefits for individuals who have reached one hundred years of age will be guaranteed by the Act law soon and, moreover, they will be indexed on an annual basis. The Council of Ministers has just adopted a draft Act on this issue. This is an important change for several thousand Polish seniors. Today, around 6 thousand centenarians receive the benefit, however, this number will increase year on year.

5 per cent - this was the rate of registered unemployment at the end of July 2024, as estimated by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. A lower July value of the unemployment rate was last recorded in 1990.

Applications for grants for local authorities for the purchase of social services can be already submitted. Under the “Social Bonus” project, any local authority that establishes cooperation with a social economy entity can receive a grant of up to PLN 350 thousand.

Does my family situation qualify me as eligible for the Active Parent scheme? Does the funding also cover children's clubs? Answers to these and other questions about the new Active Parent programme can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy and the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). The ZUS helpline is also available by phone at (22) 560 16 00.

Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, the Minister of Labour has commissioned preparatory work to regulate work under high temperature. Today, another meeting on this issue was held. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy (MRPiPS), the State Labour Inspection, the Central Institute for Labour Protection and the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine.

"We are meeting the expectations of municipalities and helping to create these small, micro daycare centres where children will find qualified care and will be able to develop," Minister Aleksandra Gajewska stated at today's press conference. The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has launched a new programme aimed at municipalities where there is currently no childcare facility for children under three. Funding from the "First Daycare Provider in the Municipality" programme can be applied for.

Central Statistical Office confirmed the Ministry of the Family, Labour and Social Policy's estimates – the registered unemployment rate in Poland in March this year was 5.3 %. The number of unemployed was even lower than we estimated, with 762,200 people unemployed. The last time fewer unemployed people were registered with the labour offices was at the end of July 1990.

The Council of Ministers has voted in favour of continuing to proceed with the citizens' bill on widow's pensions. The bill is an initiative of more than 20 social organisations, including OPZZ and New Left. Its adoption is being sought by Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Minister of Family Labour and Social Policy.

On 18 July this year, the Director General of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy filed a notice of possible criminal offence with the Prosecutor General against former Minister Marlena Maląg and the former Director of the Department of Communications and Promotion. The notice is based on the conclusions of the Supreme Audit Office's post-inspection report of 22 April this year. The institution examined expenditure on the ministry's promotional ventures, including the so-called 800 plus picnics. The NIK found that some of the actions taken were unhelpful and profligate.

The Council of Ministers has adopted a decree on the increase of income criteria for social assistance. From 1 January 2025, a significantly larger group of people will benefit from this support compared to before. The Team for the Reform of the Social Assistance System, established within the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, is also working on systemic improvements for those in need of support.