Increase in social security spending

Total government expenditure on social security benefits during the first quarter of this year increased by Lm3.2 million or by 6.1 per cent over the first quarter of last year, and amounted to Lm55.4 million, the National Statistics Office said yesterday. Spending on retirement pensions, the main component of contributory benefits, increased by Lm1.9 million, mainly due to an increase of Lm1.6 million in the two-thirds pension.

Other increases within the contributory benefits category were reported in the national minimum invalidity pension (+Lm0.2 million), and in the survivor's (in respect of widowhood) pension, which also increased by Lm0.2 million. On the other hand, declines were reported in unemployment benefits (-Lm0.08 million), special unemployment benefits (-Lm0.03 million) and sickness benefits (-Lm0.07 million), the NSO said.