The state budget for 2018 was adopted and formed. Our review highlights key areas of the economy. What the state gave priority to in 2018, how the state budget will be spent, whether the increase in the salaries of public servants is expected, and what the year prepares for teachers.
What relates to the expenditure side of the state budget
The state budget is the most important instrument for regulating the financial sector. The budget consists of revenue and expenditure. Profitable - this is where the money comes from: taxes, government loans, etc. Its expenditure determines how the funds accumulated by the state will be distributed. What will be the direction of state policy, which sectors will receive the most funding. 2017 was not an easy year for the Russian economy. The budget formed for 2018 is primarily based on the dollar exchange rate of at least $ 40 per barrel of oil, as well as on reducing the financing of some programs and channeling funds to the most important sectors. So, let us dwell in more detail on how the state budget will be distributed.
How will the budget be spent in 2018
The main items of state budget expenditures in the Russian Federation for 2018 are:
Social expenses. This is the main point of distribution of expenditures of the state budget. 36.4% of funds will be directed here.
Defense. About 29% of the budget will be allocated to national security.
National economy.
The remaining funds will be distributed between the following categories: government spending, housing and communal services, environmental protection, education, culture, healthcare, media, sports, government. debt and intergovernmental transfers.
I would like to dwell on the most important for the population expenditure parts of the state budget.
Social politics
Priority direction of state policy. Even despite the reduction in all expenses, the amount allocated for 2018 exceeds the previous budget by 620 billion and amounts to 5.08 trillion rubles. The main item of expenditures in this direction will be the payment of pensions, while 2 indexations are expected, which are designed to block inflation. The remaining funds will be spent on various benefits, which will also be indexed. Various programs of material support for certain categories of citizens, in particular maternal capital, have been extended. New benefits introduced. For example, families whose income is less than 1.5 times the cost of living per family member is entitled to an allowance for the first child until they reach 1.5 years of age in the amount of the living wage provided for a child in each specific subject of the Russian Federation.
National economy
Unlike social policy, budget cuts have occurred here. It is mainly associated with a decrease in investment in regional projects. The development program for the Far East has been particularly significantly reduced, and financing for the development of energy has been reduced. Part of the regions in 2018 will continue to receive state. full support (Crimea, Sevastopol, Kaliningrad region, North Caucasus). The subsidy policy will continue for banks, in particular, cash injections will affect Vnesheconombank, which is experiencing difficulties. Giants such as Sberbank and VTB will receive funds as part of the implementation of support programs for mortgage lending. It is also assumed that all additional income from the sale of oil, over $ 40 per barrel, will be directed to the reserve fund.
Priority national destinations
Over the past few years, many priority areas have been developed. Their total number is about 45. Budget optimization, stabilization of the economy, sanctions and general economic tension have led to the fact that in 2018 only a part of them will be financed. In this case, the following areas are related to the expenditure part of the state budget:
- healthcare
- mortgage direction;
- small business support;
- quality roads;
- educational development;
- international cooperation and export;
- Housing and communal services;
- development of single-industry towns;
- ecology.
Salary increase for public sector employees in 2018
Salaries of civil servants will increase for the first time since 2013. According to the order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 6, 2017 No. 2716-r, employees of the public sector from January 1, 2018 will receive a wage increase of 1.04 times, in other words, by 4%. Thus, the promised increase in salaries to state employees in 2018 was nevertheless realized in practice. Also, this increase will affect employees of federal state bodies, civilian personnel of military units.
Teachers salaries: what to expect in 2018?
In recent years, the income of teachers has gradually increased, according to the May decrees of the president, its growth will continue in 2018. The expenditure part of the state budget refers to this article of the distribution of cash in very small amounts. Due to the economic crisis and the general recession in the economy, the growth rate is low. According to the above decrees, by 2018, the level of wages should be increased by 1.5 times compared to the level of 2012 and at the same time be 200% higher than the regional average wage. In such a volume, the decree has not been implemented. No significant leap in the growth of teachers' salaries is foreseen. Apparently, indexation will be carried out, the figures are called from 5.5% to 8%. At the same time, information is received that the program will be implemented to optimize the teaching staff, the teacher must confirm their qualifications by passing the appropriate exam. A graduation of the ranks of teachers will be introduced, which will also affect income. The government distinguishes the following categories:
- novice teacher;
- senior teacher;
- lead teacher.
Summing up, we can say with confidence that the increase in teachers' salaries in 2018 is designed to block inflation, no big growth is expected.
Summary
The expenditure side of the state budget includes a huge list of areas and programs. Some of them received support in 2018, some received funding cuts, and some were frozen altogether. A whole range of measures has been implemented in the priority areas in the social sphere, but the actual increase in spending on this part of the budget is associated with the introduction of new benefits and the provision of material support to young families. Here and the above payments for the first child up to 1.5 years, and compensation for interest on the mortgage, it is understood that for families with two, three or more children, a preferential rate of 6% will apply. In 2018, the increase in salaries for state employees and teachers is more likely to block inflation than to actually increase incomes. In general, according to the Ministry of Finance, the main task of the formed budget is to move from stabilizing the economy to its growth, which is declared at 2%, as well as reducing the dependence of the ruble on oil prices. What in practice will be the new fiscal year, time will tell.