#314 - Chapter 314 Childcare Fund
Hearing Amelia's question, Sebastian immediately replied firmly.
“After universal taxation, other things aside, we must first establish a childcare fund! This is of utmost importance and absolutely cannot be taken lightly.”
Childcare fund?
Amelia frowned, somewhat puzzled. “Is it really that important? The very first item?”
“Of course, it's important,” Sebastian nodded without hesitation. “Raising children is not just the responsibility of parents, but also concerns the future of the entire wizarding society. The Ministry of Magic must solve the wizards' worries through the childcare fund.”
He explained, “The number of wizards has always been one of the key factors restricting our development. If we want wizards to increase their desire to have children, taxing single individuals is not enough. Every wizarding family must feel real support, especially in raising children.”
“Then how do you think it should be done specifically?” Amelia began to listen attentively.
“The Ministry of Magic can set up a special childcare fund, covering all stages from pregnancy to childhood.”
“For example, your Department of Magical Law Enforcement can create a new Marriage Department to register married wizarding couples.”
“After these wizarding couples have children, they can receive two hundred Galleons in childcare fees every month, until the child reaches adulthood.”
“Each child can receive money every month, the more children, the more money, with no upper limit.”
“Of course, two hundred Galleons is just something I said off the cuff. The specific amount to be distributed still needs to be investigated and researched.”
The principle is actually very simple. Whether it is having children or raising children, neither is an easy task.
If the Ministry of Magic wants to encourage childbirth, it cannot just shout slogans, but must take on the responsibility of the wizarding government.
After all, raising children is both time-consuming and expensive. If the Ministry of Magic can reduce the burden on wizards in this regard, the willingness of wizarding families to have children will naturally increase.
Hearing Sebastian's explanation, Percy's face was full of emotion.
The Weasley family had always been relatively tight because they had many children.
If the Ministry of Magic had launched such a policy earlier, their family would not have had such a hard time.
You should know that their younger brother Ron couldn't even afford his own wand when he first entered school, and used his older brother Charlie's old wand.
If he hadn't earned some money through work-study, who knows when he would have been able to own his own wand.
Amelia also had no objection, after listening to Sebastian's explanation for a while, she understood that this childcare fund was a good thing for the wizarding world.
She would definitely strongly support this policy, even if she herself could not benefit from it.
“Sebastian, after the childcare fund, what is the next key area for funding allocation?”
Key area for allocation?
It must be to allocate resources towards education, to achieve universal free education!
As the Muggles say, it takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to nurture people.
Investment in education is crucial. Taxation should not just be a simple accumulation of wealth, but should be used to benefit future generations.
Sebastian said seriously to Amelia: “First of all, Hogwarts, as our wizarding world's top institution, needs continuous financial support.”
Currently, Hogwarts' funding mainly comes from donations from the school board and the development of the Forbidden Forest, but this is still not enough.
After universal taxation, the Ministry of Magic needs to provide more funding for Hogwarts to ensure their facility upgrades, curriculum development, and improved salaries and benefits for professors.
“In addition, it is quite expensive for young wizards to buy school uniforms and textbooks for the first time. The Ministry of Magic can also provide some financial assistance for these educational supplies, just like young wizards can get discounts when buying their first wand.”
This will reduce the burden on families. Make everyone feel that education is not only the responsibility of parents, but also the responsibility of the Ministry of Magic.
“But education is not limited to Hogwarts,” Sebastian added, “We must also consider investment in basic education, especially in the kindergarten and primary school stages.”
“Wizarding children should receive the best education and guidance. The Ministry of Magic can allocate funds to support these basic education institutions, ensuring they have sufficient resources to nurture wizarding children.”
A wizarding kindergarten and a wizarding primary school have already been established in Hogsmeade New Town.
Parents don't have to pay any fees to send their children to school, which is both worry-free, effortless, and saves money.
Swan Alchemy has always invested a lot of money in it. After all, whether it is teacher recruitment, infrastructure maintenance, or children's food expenses, it is a considerable expense.
If it was before, Swan Alchemy would have to pay this money.
But when universal taxation is implemented, the Ministry of Magic should take responsibility, at least bear half of the funding expenses, and if the situation allows, bear more.
“Not only education, scientific research is also the key to development,” Sebastian spoke eloquently, “If we want the wizarding society to develop rapidly, we must face up to the importance of scientific research.”
“Amelia, you should know that we have established a research institute in Hogsmeade New Town and are recruiting ambitious people from all over the world to conduct safe magical research there.”
“The Ministry of Magic can increase the funding for magical research institutes and fund more research projects. This will not only promote the progress of the wizarding world, but also help solve practical problems in the wizarding world.”
“Improvements in medical magic, the development of new defensive spells, the research and development of new potions, and even the protection and research of some magical creatures, all require sufficient funding to ensure.”
Amelia nodded repeatedly, she felt that Sebastian was extremely right, following the other party's suggestions, the British wizarding world would definitely be able to develop better and better.
Just a few years of development, and the British wizarding world will become the wizarding holy land of the world, and then attract many wizards to settle and work.
Thinking of this, Amelia's face showed a playful look: “Sebastian, you have a good plan.”
“Whether it is a kindergarten, a primary school, or a wizarding research institute, everything has a direct connection with you, Sebastian.”
“With the Ministry of Magic's funding, Swan Alchemy can save a lot of expenses.”
“By then, you will have both fame and fortune. No matter how you look at it, you won't lose out.”
“Hehe,” hearing the meaning in Amelia's words, Sebastian grinned, “It's not that exaggerated, it's all win-win.”
“In the final analysis, it is all for the future of the wizarding world.”
Amelia smiled and shook her head: “Forget it, forget it, I can't argue with you, and I'm too lazy to dwell on this point.”
“After all, you have planned so much for the wizarding world, we can't let the meritorious people be disheartened.”
“Besides education, do you have anything else to add?”
