Should we continue to produce 30 million pigs?: The red bloc launches a frontal attack on pig farming
Danish farmers are being called upon to stop building new pig farms and expanding existing ones as part of an urgent initiative intended to address climate, environmental, and animal welfare issues.
Penalties for Animal Abuse Will Increase, New Rules Could Be in Effect as Early as Next January
Czechia plans to implement stricter penalties for animal abuse starting next January.
From 2026 – increased benefits for foster care of children: here's how much it is and where to apply
Lithuania is set to increase foster care benefits for children starting in 2026, adjusting the amounts based on age and needs.
Public Medical School Bill for 15 Years of Service Passes Welfare Committee
A bill establishing a public medical school requiring graduates to serve in public healthcare institutions for 15 years has passed a subcommittee of South Korea's National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee.
Letter to the Editor. Abolish the waiting day – an insult to us in care and welfare
A healthcare worker argues that the current waiting day policy financially penalizes staff for minor injuries, urging its abolition.
China shifts cadre-appraisal metrics away from pure GDP growth, resetting mindsets
China is initiating a campaign to shift its cadre-appraisal metrics from pure GDP growth to a focus on social welfare and sustainability.
Leader: What was the government thinking here? Growth and welfare are threatened by one-track policy
The article critiques the Swedish government's immigration policy, arguing it endangers both individual welfare and the country's skill supply.
Ukraine has decided to significantly raise pensions - they will increase from March 1.
Ukraine has announced a 12.1% increase in pensions and insurance payments starting March 1, as part of its ongoing pension enhancement policy amid economic challenges.
Employment Insurance Premium Rate Decreased for Two Consecutive Years from 1.45% to 1.35% - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced a reduction in the employment insurance premium rate from 1.45% to 1.35% starting April 1, 2026, marking the second consecutive year of decline due to improving employment conditions.
Two months after the municipal election, I am wasting my time discussing cleaning supplies and food clubs
A newly elected member of Copenhagen’s Health and Care Committee expresses frustration about the democratic decision-making processes in welfare policy.
New Economic Plan: Defense Billions Drain Government's Room for Maneuver and Leave Fewer Funds for Welfare
Denmark's government faces a challenging balance between rising defense spending and the need for public welfare funding, as outlined in their new economic plan toward 2035.
Court orders municipality to create public shelter for animals in Campo Grande
A court in Campo Grande has mandated the local government to establish a public shelter for abandoned and mistreated animals following an initiative by the Mato Grosso do Sul Public Ministry.
Those receiving unemployment benefits await several news: reported cases in which they will lose support
A significant portion of the Lithuanian population believes that the country's situation is worsening, and discussions have emerged about the future of social support systems.
Thousands of millionaire families in Copenhagen are set to receive food checks
Thousands of millionaire families in Copenhagen will soon receive tax-free food checks as part of a new proposal awaiting final approval.
Social Policy Course: SPD and Union – One Single Conflict of Goals
The article critiques demands for painful social reforms from the SPD and political opposition, highlighting the potential negative impacts on the German social welfare system.
Government: Stricter Requirements for Immigrant Benefits
The Swedish government proposes a five-year waiting period for immigrants seeking benefits as part of a broader reform to social welfare regulations.
[Exclusive] The ‘Emergency Patient Transport System’ is being reformed… The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Fire Agency have different data aggregation
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Fire Agency have reported significantly different numbers regarding emergency patient transports, revealing a lack of coordination in their operations.
Family care for the elderly has increased, but the use of family caregivers remains marginal
Family care for the elderly in Finland is on the rise, though the use of family caregivers is still limited according to a report from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
Ministry: Donkeys must have a companion by law
The Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is proposing amendments to laws ensuring social interaction for donkeys, requiring them to have a companion due to their low market availability.
Letter to the Editor. State Child Industry is the Reality Behind a False Self-Image
A researcher argues for the dissolution of state-run facilities for children and youth and advocates for transferring responsibility to regional authorities for better care.
Discussion Begins at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on the Employment of Foreign Workers: Considering an 'Orderly Symbiotic Society'
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan has commenced discussions on the employment of foreign workers, in line with the government's vision of creating an 'orderly symbiotic society' with foreigners, focusing on preventing illegal work and reviewing rules for employers.
'Beyond Zero Euthanasia, Realizing Animal Welfare'... Announcement of Gangwon's Animal Welfare Policy
Gangwon Province announced a significant increase in funding for animal welfare, pledging 25 billion KRW to support its new comprehensive animal welfare policies.
Reform UK would restore two-child benefit cap, Jenrick says in policy U-turn
Reform UK plans to reinstate the two-child benefit cap, with Robert Jenrick stating this would help address issues related to welfare reform.
KUKU: Invisible Animals Leader: Three Agriculture Ministers Have Dealt with the Ban on Caged Hens
Kristina Mering, director of the organization Invisible Animals, discusses the long-standing effort to ban the use of caged hens in Estonia, which has seen tens of thousands of signatures collected yet remains pending in the government.
Due to high heating bills, the government decides to increase housing benefits; the pool of recipients will also expand
The Latvian government is raising housing benefits to assist households affected by high heating costs, with changes in the formula for calculating the benefits set to take effect in early January.
For Entrance Exams, It's About Feeding the System and Not About the Children
The article discusses concerns regarding the entrance examination system in education, suggesting it prioritizes institutional needs over children's educational welfare.
Heikki Hiilamo's column: Guns or butter – will the growth of defense spending lead to an explosion of poverty?
The column critiques the Finnish government's cuts to social benefits while increasing defense spending, predicting a worsening poverty crisis.
Casa Cuiabana Program: New List of Pre-Approved Candidates Released
The Municipal Housing and Land Regularization Office in Cuiabá has announced a new preliminary list of candidates in the Casa Cuiabana housing program, with more candidates still under review.
Kenya: State Department for Children's Services Reaffirms Plan to End Child Institutionalisation By 2032
The Kenyan government plans to end child institutionalization by 2032, promoting family-based care instead.
STM Working Group: Child Welfare Client Ratio Could Be Abandoned – Only in Effect for Two Years
A working group set up by Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health suggests reconsidering the child welfare client ratio regulation that limits social workers to a maximum of 30 children.
High School Students Are Increasingly Indebted - The Union Is Calling for Action from the Government
According to the Finnish Student Union, government changes to support welfare are increasing the indebtedness of high school students.
Chaos and injustice. The anti-political nature of social benefits
The article examines the inconsistencies and contradictions in Poland's non-insured social benefit policies over the past two years of coalition governance.
The first 48 houses for the Welfare program are delivered in Cajeme, Sonora
The National Housing Program for Welfare has delivered the first 48 houses in Cajeme, Sonora, marking a significant step in the state's social housing policy.
Are Generic Drugs Cut to Create New Drugs? … It’s a Misdiagnosis
The ongoing debate surrounding the Ministry of Health and Welfare's proposal to lower the prices of generic drugs in South Korea has raised concerns about its implications for new drug development and the pharmaceutical industry.
The Minister: Sweden is lagging behind in the fight against bowel cancer
Sweden's government is urging the National Board of Health and Welfare to provide more flexible screening recommendations for bowel cancer to enhance early detection and survival rates.
[Editorial] 'Increase in Medical School Quotas' is Just the Starting Point for Expanding Regional and Essential Medical Services
South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare announced an average annual increase of 668 medical school admissions over the next five years, resolving previous conflicting discussions about medical education expansion.
No to Allowing Prosecutors to Make Decisions on LVU
A government-commissioned investigation warns against granting prosecutors the authority to decide on the immediate care of children under the care of youth law (LVU).
Between Self-Interest and Public Welfare: What Interests Political Consultants Pursue
The article discusses the interests of political consultants, highlighting their lack of neutrality and the influence of social media on their roles.
Future of the Welfare State: Tax Increases Instead of Reforms?
The article discusses the German government's shift from initial reform intentions to a focus on tax increases to address welfare state challenges.
Letter to the Editor. Increase child allowances and tax the money as income
A proposal to increase child allowances while taxing them as income argues for a fairer distribution of state benefits.
6 A's: The Book is the First Work to Address an Important Conversation About Greenland's Social Policy
A new book examines the historical and socio-economic factors affecting Greenland's social policy, focusing on the well-being of children, family life, and public health.
Mogi das Cruzes receives more than 1,500 reports of animal mistreatment in one year
Mogi das Cruzes reported 1,562 allegations of animal mistreatment from January 2025 to January 2026, with 704 confirmed cases.
Collect signatures to create a state-funded emergency veterinary service system
A public initiative in Latvia is gathering signatures to establish a state-funded 24-hour emergency veterinary care system.
Mother’s Pension: Annual 13.5 billion euros for CSU clientele policy
The planned expansion of the Mother’s Pension in Germany is set to add billions in costs, primarily funded by taxpayers, with significant implications for social welfare funding.
"I don’t need a day off from Erkki," says Tuula Heikkilä, who cares for her spouse – the welfare area disagrees
Tuula Heikkilä, a caregiver for her husband Erkki who suffers from Alzheimer’s, expresses frustration over new welfare policy changes that limit caregiver support.
The shortage of doctors in 2037 is expected to be in the 4,000 range... The scale of the increase seems likely to be reduced considering educational conditions
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare has indicated a projected shortage of around 4,000 doctors by 2037, leading to potential reductions in the planned annual increase of medical school admissions due to educational conditions.
"We have reached the tipping point, the productive members are leaving the country"
A discussion between WELT publisher Ulf Poschardt and economist Daniel Stelter highlights tensions between the treatment of welfare recipients and the working population regarding taxation in social democracy.
"Of all the bad issues of the government, I think this is the worst"
Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, leader of the Independence Party, expresses serious concerns regarding a proposal linking public insurance payments to wage indices, fearing it will lead to automatic increases in government spending and reduced incentives.
Social Policy: New Poverty Figures Ignite Debate on the Welfare State
New figures on poverty in Germany have sparked debate over potential cuts to the welfare state, revealing that approximately 13.3 million people live below the poverty risk threshold, translating to 16.1% of the population.
Severe patients are transported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare's situation room, while mild patients are transported without a call…‘Emergency Room Bypass’ measures are coming out
The South Korean government will implement measures to streamline the transport of emergency patients, which has been criticized for not accounting for emergency room capacity.