Polish government to pay families to have more children

WARSAW, Poland -- Poland's new government has approved a program of family bonuses that is intended to reverse the declining birth rate.

The government of Prime Minister Beata Szydlo on Tuesday approved a program under which families will get monthly bonuses of 500 zlotys ($124) for every child beyond the first. The poorest families will be receiving bonuses for all children.

The program, which had been promised during this year's electoral campaign, will be submitted to public debate and will require parliament's approval. It could take effect in April.

The funding is to come from cutting VAT tax evasions and from new bank and supermarket taxes.

Critics say the program, estimated to cost some 22 billion zlotys, threatens to increase the state budget deficit.