Russia has deliberately thrown Europe into an energy crisis. This requires mobilisation from the entire public administration – the government and local governments. Our government has created an effective mechanism for distributing coal to citizens. Thanks to a subsidy from the state budget, local governments can buy coal from importers well below the market price – up to PLN 1,500 per tonne. This means better access to that commodity and lower prices for citizens. This is not the only government action aimed at protecting households from rising coal prices. We have also introduced a one-off coal allowance of PLN 3,000.

A discussion on the current economic situation, identifying the most important challenges and methods to take advantage of opportunities for growth – these are the main topics of this year's 7th Polish Capital Congress with the participation of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The head of government indicated that business must be profitable but in a socially acceptable way. Therefore, we must on the one hand look for what is in line with society's needs and protects the environment. On the other hand, we must also look for what offers the opportunity for rapid growth.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, together with the Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg, have paid a visit to the local government nursery in Pilawa. The Head of the Government summed up the support for families with children so far. Thanks to Government action, the number of places in nurseries has almost tripled from 80,000 to 230,000 in 2022. We intend to create an additional 100,000 places by 2029. We will allocate PLN 5.5 billion for the next edition of the Toddler+ programme. This is money invested directly in Polish families.

We are extending the reduced VAT rate on food products. In the fight against inflation and the crisis caused by Russia, the most important thing for us is to protect the Polish people’s pockets. The zero VAT rate on food will continue to apply from 1 January 2023 to the middle of the year. So far, thanks to this solution, over PLN 7.6 billion has remained in the Polish people’s pockets. Tax cuts are just one of many protective measures being taken by the Government.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has visited the District Complex of Health Care Institutions in Czeladź. The facility is an example of good health care management and positive changes in this area over the last few years. It is also a place where Polish, Ukrainian and Canadian doctors take care of patients from Ukraine. Soldiers as well as victims of mass rocket and bombing raids are sent to Czeladź. The Head of the Polish Government thanked all the staff for their work.

The Visegrad Group is a very important and effective format for regional cooperation. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has participated in the summit of the V4 countries - Polish, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia - in Košice. The talks between the Prime Ministers focused on strategic security and the continuation of sectoral cooperation on individual projects. First of all, the topics of energy, war in Ukraine and migration were raised. Moreover, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki received a clear declaration from Prime Minister Viktor Orban that Hungary would proceed to ratify NATO enlargement to include Sweden and Finland at the first parliamentary session of the coming year.

In many towns all over Poland, buildings of schools, nurseries, kindergartens and community centres are like monuments. They are often damaged and need repairs. Today we announced the Government Monument Reconstruction Programme, which is the answer to these needs. Local government units will be able to apply for co-financing from the state budget, e.g. for the renovation of historic buildings - up to PLN 3.5 million.

Eastern affairs policy, security, defence and regional cooperation were the main topics of talks between Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki. The current European agenda was also discussed, including energy and economic issues, in particular those related to the threat from Russia and the attack on Ukraine. The Head of the Polish Government also stressed the need for further sanctions against Russia, and added that the whole world was paying for Russian aggression today, when it is Russia that should pay for all its crimes.

On November 18, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with Avril Haines, US Director of National Intelligence.