Consultations underway on extending increased social welfare allowances-Kiran

Consultations are underway on the possibility of continuing the increased social welfare allowances in the next financial year. This has been confirmed by Minister for Social Protection Sashi Kiran after she was questioned about plans going forward following the three-month measure, which runs from May to next month. Kiran says consultations are ongoing, with considerations being made regarding the global situation and a possible national response package.

Meanwhile, in response to the fuel crisis, the Ministry of Social Protection announced a temporary 50 percent top-up for more than 130,000 social protection recipients in April as fuel prices and the cost of living continued to rise. The three-month measure, running from May to July, is expected to cost around $24 million and was introduced to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households. In the 2025/2026 National Budget, the Government increased monthly allowances for all social welfare recipients and Government pensioners by 5 percent, on top of the 15.5 percent increase provided in the previous Budget. Funding for social welfare payments was also increased to $220 million.

The Government also allocated $4 million to support reinstated pension payments for FNPF pensioners affected by the 2012 pension reforms and set aside $25 million for free water, medicine and electricity subsidies for households earning $30,000 or less annually. The 2026/2027 National Budget will be delivered in Parliament by Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel on 26th June.