1. They had backed up huge demands for cost of living allowances and then found that they had to find the money.

2. We will improve the urban basic cost of living allowance system, the urban and rural subsidized medical care system, and the assistance system for urban vagrants and beggars.

3. Setting up a basic cost of living allowance system for all urban and rural residents has great and far-reaching significance for promoting social fairness and building a harmonious society.

4. Old age pensions were increased and cuts imposed in 1989 on public-sector salaries were restored together with some cost of living allowance arrears.

5. Wen also announced an ambitious plan to set up "a nationwide basic minimum cost of living allowance system" for the rural residents, who traditionally had no access to social security coverage.