We are all concentrating on aid efforts for Ukraine: arms supplies and humanitarian aid. However, we should already start developing future programmes for our eastern neighbour. Certainly, Silesia, as a region with enormous potential, will play a significant role in the efforts to rebuild Ukraine. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Minister of Family and Social Policy Marlena Maląg and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology Grzegorz Piechowiak discussed this issue during the 5th Silesian Deal Programme Conference.

The head of the Polish government met the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. The politicians discussed the current situation of war in Ukraine, the possible scenarios for its development, as well as the issue of recovering the country from war damage. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki informed about the ongoing and planned actions taken by Poland and the European Union to support Ukraine in facing Russia’s invasion and its aftermath. So far, Poland has provided our eastern neighbour with military equipment worth PLN 7 billion, i.e. USD 1.6 billion. This equipment saves Ukrainian, Polish and European sovereignty. A memorandum has also been signed in Kraków to further strengthen Polish-Ukrainian cooperation with regard to railways.

The tragedy of the Ukrainian people who struggle against the brutal aggression of Russia must not be forgotten. Therefore, the government has launched a unique billboard and social media campaign to remind Western European countries of the atrocity of the war that is taking place in Ukraine. Special billboards will appear in many European cities. This campaign aims to stop Russia’s actions by introducing quick and robust sanctions.

There was a tremor in the Zofiówka mine in Jastrzębie-Zdrój, resulting in ten miners being stuck underground. An outflow of methane accompanied the tremor, but the gas did not ignite or explode. A rescue operation involving twelve rescue teams is underway at the site. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has arrived at the Zofiówka mine.

Bilateral relations and Russian aggression against Ukraine were the main issues discussed at the Polish-Slovak intergovernmental consultations chaired by Prime Ministers Mateusz Morawiecki and Eduard Heger. Both Polish and Slovak governments recognise the illegal and unprovoked attack on Ukraine as the most serious challenge to European security and express their support for the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine. The consultations also concerned other areas, including foreign affairs, home affairs, environment, economy, energy, transport, regional policy, agriculture, family and social policy. The meeting ended with the signing of a joint declaration on the occasion of the 3rd Polish-Slovak Intergovernmental Consultations.

The whole world is struggling with inflation. We want to protect Polish families against this negative phenomenon. Poland’s Council of Ministers has adopted a bill that will introduce further favourable tax changes. Starting from 1 July this year, we will reduce the Personal Income Tax by 5 percentage points, i.e. from 17% to 12%. The tax credit amount will remain at the level of PLN 30,000 and the tax threshold at the level of PLN 120,000. At the same time, we will make a portion of the health insurance contribution deductible from the tax base for certain entrepreneurs. More than 13 million taxpayers will benefit from these changes. Overall, the reform will save Poles a further PLN 15 billion.

An international donors’ conference for Ukraine is to be held in Warsaw on 5th May. The event is being spearheaded by the Prime Minister of Poland - Mateusz Morawiecki and the Prime Minister of Sweden - Magdalena Andersson, in partnership with the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. This initiative aims to provide humanitarian support for Ukraine.

We appreciate the work of Polish farmers and support them when they need it. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visited a farm in Załęże Duże in the Mazowieckie Voivodship. The head of the government, together with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Henryk Kowalczyk, presented the details of the governmental support for farmers, including a fertiliser subsidy scheme and favourable changes in pensions. Under the fertiliser subsidy scheme, farmers will receive nearly PLN 4 billion. It is a very important initiative. The scheme provides real support not only to Polish farmers but also to all Poles who will pay less for food. In addition, farmers will benefit from changes to their pensions. Thanks to the new rules, they will not have to give up their activities to receive the full amount of the benefit.

In Janów Lubelski, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki officially announced plans to increase the budget of the Railway Plus Programme. At the meeting today, the Council of Ministers will increase the funds from PLN 5.6 billion to over PLN 11 billion. Thanks to this, we will be able to implement as many as 34 projects, instead of 17, to modernise or build new railway lines. We are doubling the planned investments, what will allow us to complete more networks of passenger connection. The goal of the programme is to eliminate transport exclusion. Many rail connections will allow comfortable travel across Poland and increase the attractiveness of numerous regions of the country.

Two methane explosions occured at the Pniówek mine in Silesia last night, which ended tragically. Five people are dead and seven are still trapped underground. From the first moments, a team of specialists has been analysing the situation and searching for possible measures that can be taken. The head of the Polish Government took part in the team’s meeting and visited the Burn Treatment Centre to learn about the condition of the victims. This terrible tragedy shows that a miner's work is not only extremely difficult, but also very risky. Miners put themselves in danger every day for all of us.