Serhiy Lovochkin, deputy chairman of the of the Opposition Bloc faction, demands the government to take systematic measures aimed at ending inflation growth and minimizing its negative social consequences. This is stated in a deputy inquiry that the MP sent to Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.

“In view of the above, in accordance with article 15 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Status of a People’s Deputy of Ukraine” I demand to take systematic measures aimed at stopping the growth of inflation and minimizing its negative social consequences,” Serhiy Lovochkin wrote.

The politician noted that Ukraine had a high double-digit inflation, which in April this year, compared with April last year, grew by 13.1%. At the same time, the average inflation for January-April compared to the same period in 2017 was 13.6%.

“This is a record number among European countries, where for the last 12 months the prices on average grew by only 1.4%, including in Poland – by 1.6%, the Czech Republic – by 1.9%, Hungary – by 2.3%, Lithuania – by 2.3%, Romania – by 5.2%. Prices in Ukraine are growing at a higher rate than in the Russian Federation, where they increased by 2.4%, Moldova – by 3.7%, the Republic of Belarus – by 5%,” he explained.

Also in the deputy inquiry, it is reported that the increase in prices in Ukraine only for the first 4 months of this year (4.4%) have already amounted to half of the official forecast inflation rate for the year (9%). Given this, it is obvious that the inflation forecast of the authorities is completely unrealistic, and double-digit inflation will persist in Ukraine this year, the results of which can reach 13%.

“So high inflation eats the nominal growth of low incomes of the Ukrainians, more and more Ukrainian citizens have fallen below the poverty line and are forced to restrict themselves to elemental life needs,” Serhiy Lovochkin said.

He cited data of the State Statistics Office according to which 60% of the population of the country lacks the means for unforeseen expenses, 30% - for the purchase of goods and medicines, 25% - for payment of housing bills. A quarter of Ukrainian citizens cannot afford to buy meat or fish at least once a day. 26% of the Ukrainians cannot buy new winter clothes and shoes every 5 years.

“The only way to stop the rising inflation rate is to fundamentally revise the Cabinet’s social and economic policy, its reorienting to stimulate economic growth, industry, the fight against unemployment, the containment of producer prices, the cessation of populist steps in the social sphere and the restriction of the growth of administratively regulated tariffs, including communal ones,” the deputy chairman of the Opposition Bloc faction concluded.