A longstanding but little-known provision in the British benefits system is now delivering higher weekly payments to qualifying households that include multiple spouses from overseas polygamous marriages.
Under updated government figures, eligible households receive an extra £166 per week for each additional spouse. The increase forms part of Britain’s annual benefits uprating linked to wage growth and inflation. Officials stress that the number of affected households remains relatively small.
Reported by AI Image generated by AI
South Korea's National Assembly passed a 26.2 trillion-won ($17.7 billion) extra budget bill on April 10 to address economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, with a 214-11 vote. The ruling Democratic Party and opposition People Power Party agreed to maintain the government's proposed size. About 35.8 million people will receive cash payments ranging from 100,000 to 600,000 won based on income and region.
Following its April announcement, the South Korean government started distributing cash aid on April 26 to basic livelihood security recipients and other vulnerable groups to offset rising oil prices from the Middle East conflict. Aid amounts are 550,000 won ($372) for basic livelihood recipients and 450,000 won per person for single-parent households and those just above the welfare threshold, with an extra 50,000 won for recipients outside Seoul or in declining population areas.
Reported by AI
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the advancement of government salaries for the next two months to ease financial pressures on households during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. The decision forms part of a EGP 40.3 billion social protection package aimed at supporting citizens' living standards. The announcement came at a press conference in the New Administrative Capital on Sunday.
The National Pension Service announced on March 2 that the number of national pension recipients in South Korea is likely to surpass 8 million this year for the first time since the program's introduction in 1988. This projection comes amid the country's rapid aging population and low birth rate. The figure reached 7.83 million in November.
Reported by AI
Mexico's Secretariat of Welfare announced the bimonthly payment schedule for the Bienestar Pension and Mujeres Bienestar Pension, starting May 4, 2026, with surnames beginning with A. New secretary Leticia Ramírez outlined an investment of over 104 billion pesos for 32 million beneficiaries. Deposits are made directly into Bienestar Cards.
A Funcas report predicts that average inheritance in Spain will reach 250,000 euros in about 20 years due to falling number of children per household. This rise stems mainly from fewer heirs per deceased, according to authors Marina Asensio and Daniel Manzano from AFI.