Next year's minimum wage could rise above the proposed €660 if extra revenue comes into the budget, and public sector pay could go up by more than 5%. Social minister Natalia Efremova told Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).

For now, she said, she can confirm only that: with more money, some of the budget figures could change. Ministers are going through all the numbers to stay within a plan for moderate fiscal consolidation.

"This means cutting the budget deficit, but not with drastic steps that people would have to bear," Efremova said.

Next year, spending on people with permanent disabilities and on the TELK medical expert panels is due to fall by €260m. The plan is stricter checks and a review of who needs a personal assistant.

Asked by BNR about other steps, the minister named one more: "Fighting fake TELK certificates. That is part of the work of law enforcement."

Efremova says many people already go through the TELK panels from time to time, and the changes aim to direct the available money more effectively. A needs assessment will be introduced. The laws, and the way the social system supports people whose cases are reviewed, will change in stages.

Public hearings on next year's state budget, the social security budget and the health insurance fund budget will start in November.