State budget revenues in 2024 are expected to amount to around PLN 682 billion, while expenditure should be around PLN 866 billion. The state budget deficit is to amount to PLN 184 billion.

Increase in Salaries for Teachers and Public Sector Employees

As announced, Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government will provide funds for teacher pay rises in the 2024 budget. Teachers' average salaries will increase by 30 per cent and, in the case of entry-level teachers, by 33 per cent. The increases will also cover kindergarten and university teachers.

“In line with our commitments, we also took into account kindergarten teachers. Also here we have allocated an additional PLN 2.3 billion in subsidies to local authorities to finance increases in salaries for kindergarten teachers. The same applies to academic teachers, who will also receive a 30% increase,” the Prime Minister informed.

The salaries of employees in the public sector will also increase.

“We provide in the budget an increase in salaries and emoluments, including base salaries, of 20 per cent for all employees of the state public sector and soldiers and officers – including customs officers,” the head of government informed. At the same time, he stressed that the increases would not apply to those in top political positions.

Budget Law 2024 Will Ensure That Promises Made Are Delivered

The budget law for 2024 also provides for funding of the in-vitro fertilisation procedure. PLN 500 million will be allocated for this purpose. Parents will also be able to count on support from government funds under the new Aktywny Rodzic (Active Parent) programme. It is about the payment of the so-called ‘babciowe’ (‘granny allowance’) of PLN 1,500.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government, as part of its support for seniors, will also provide double valorisation of disability and old-age pensions if inflation exceeds 5 per cent.

“Institutions such as the Helpline for Children and Young People under 18 will also return – we have earmarked PLN 10 million for this purpose,” the Prime Minister informed.

At the same time, he pointed out that the Budget Act provides funds for the study of the Silesian language:

“As you know, we are in the midst of this initiative to give prominence to the Silesian language to meet the expectations of the people of Silesia, and there are also funds for this. These are not large funds. Incomparable, of course, but also symbolic.

More than PLN 3.2 billion will go to local authorities as part of the unblocking of the development part of the general subvention.

- It is about starting the process of righting wrongs, including when it comes to local governments. This bottom-up outcry from the local governments, related to the lack of resources along with centralisation and unfair distribution of resources, was an important part of our programme, our message during the elections. And we want to start as soon as possible to right these wrongs," the Prime Minister explained.

Important Programmes for Polish Women and Men Will Continue

In addition to the new measures, the government has secured funding for the continuation of the existing policies, in particular for:

• implementation of the “Family 800+” programme,    
• the realisation of the Family Care Capital for the second child and subsequent children in the family, aged between 12 and 36 months,
• subsidising a reduction in the fee for a child's stay at a crèche, children's club or day-care centre,
• payment of the so-called 13th and 14th pensions in 2024,
• the payment of a supplementary parental benefit to those who have brought up at least 4 children and who, due to their long-term care of the children, have not earned a pension that is at least equivalent to the amount of the minimum pension,
• the implementation, from 2024, of the Supporting Benefits Act, which aims to help disabled people with the greatest difficulties to live independently – the Act serves to partially cover the expenses of meeting their special needs,
• the activities of rural housewives' associations, brass bands and sports clubs.

Until 31 March 2024, the VAT rate will be reduced from 5 per cent to 0 per cent for food and 0 per cent for certain medicinal products. The rate for some goods used in agricultural production in 2024 will be 8 per cent.