Interior ministry presents plans for saving 8.3 billion

The Ministry of the Interior has presented its plans for saving 8.3 billion crowns. Speaking to reporters on Monday afternoon, Interior Minister Radek John said that the priorities were to save on operational expenditures and investments, and decreased pay for police and firemen. However, costs would be cut he said from all areas of the ministry. Other measures will include reducing police activity abroad, cancelling plans for police and fire department buildings and equipment, and revising all e-government projects. Mr John also said that effective policemen should have more money in later years in spite of planned cuts to state employees’ salaries, saying that their bonuses would be reinforced from the salaries of the 1,500 officers who leave service each year. Nonetheless, the minister allowed that the next year would be “painful” for police and fire department workers.