OREANDA-NEWS. December 29, 2011. A key task of the Government in 2011 was to improve the material condition of the poorest. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov informed about this during a session of the Cabinet of Ministers on December 28.

Mykola Azarov noted that in early 2010 about 6 million retirees received a pension in amount from 500 to 700 UAH. All salaries and pensions in the country had been frozen for two years - until March 2010. Meanwhile, major products and goods became in half time more expensive.

"Only in the first quarter of 2010 year prices were increased for 11 percent. People had any way out and, economized on everything. Now the average pension is 1200 UAH. This year we have increased salaries of budget staff six times in succession and the average salary now is amounted - 2600 UAH".

Although it is not as much as we would like, but much more than last year.

"This is a way, unlike the impasse in which our society was two years ago ..." - summered up Mykola Azarov.

The Head of Government called several numbers. In 2011, hundreds of young families received apartments from the state. 1187 families were paid interest rates on loans; about 790 families have received budgetary support to improve living conditions. 140 newly built and reconstructed kindergartens, hundreds of schools, clinics and hospitals began to operate.

"This is a very small for such a large country like Ukraine. But we have it. And these improvements will be more and more", - emphasized Mykola Azarov, adding that for the current year consumer demand, real incomes, the volume of capital investments and foreign direct investment grew up.

"Our people are ready and want to work. And because of it living standards for all social groups will be to increase step by step" the PM stressed.