_NEWS_PRINTED<br>https://www.dcc.lv/?ct=news&fu=read&id=66<h3>Government agrees on first consolidation measures</h3><p>Anton<br>2011.11.06 10:04
</p>RIGA, Nov 5 (LETA) - During a closed session on Friday, the government agreed on the first consolidation measures for next year's budget, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) informed members of the press.

The government hopes to obtain an additional LVL 26 million in implementing further anti-shadow economy measures.

Latvia also hopes to obtain LVL 25 million from selling its emissions quotas.

The Defense Ministry's expenditures will be reduced by LVL 1 million, the Transport Ministry's expenditures by LVL 15 million, whilst the Culture Ministry's expenditures by LVL 2.5 million.

<p><P>The government also heard requests from ministries regarding LVL 35 million of additional funding. An additional LVL 18 million will be allocated for family support payments, whilst the Health Ministry will receive an additional LVL 10 million.</P>
<P>The Interior Ministry will receive and additional LVL 1.7 million of funding.</P>
<P>LVL 1.2 million will be allocated to the State Revenue Service (SRS) to strengthen capacity. The SRS will also be given the task on implementing anti-shadow economy measures.</P>
<P>On the other hand, LVL 1.1 million of additional funding will be allocated to the Environment and Regional Development Ministry.</P>
<P>Public media will be allocated LVL 250,000 of additional funding, whilst the Ombudsman Bureau will be given LVL 100,000.</P>
<P>The government also plans to collect LVL 7.3 million from the new speed camera network, that is to be implemented in the coming weeks.</P>
<P>Finance Minister Andris Vilks (Unity) emphasized that no major tax changes will be made during the consolidation process this year, thus the 2012 budget will not come as a shock for residents.</P>
<P>The consolidation volume this year is much lower than in previous years, as the economic situation in Latvia has vastly improved, and there is no reason to believe that the situation will deteriorate next year. The government has already taken into account the most cautious economic and financial figures for next year.</P>
<P>Jānis Bagātais LETA<BR>Copyright © LETA</P>
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