Upon hearing Amelia's question, Sebastian immediately replied with conviction.
"After universal taxation, first and foremost, a Child-Rearing Fund must be established! This is of utmost importance and absolutely cannot be overlooked."
A Child-Rearing Fund?
Amelia frowned, a little confused. "Is that really so important? Is that the first item?"
"Of course, it's important," Sebastian nodded without hesitation. "Raising children is not just the responsibility of parents; it also concerns the future of the entire Wizarding World. The Ministry of Magic must use a Child-Rearing Fund to alleviate the worries of Wizards."
He explained, "The Wizard population has always been one of the key factors limiting our development. To make Wizards more willing to have children, merely taxing single individuals isn't enough. Every Wizard family must feel tangible support, especially in raising children."
"So how do you think it should be implemented?" Amelia began to listen carefully.
"The Ministry of Magic can establish a dedicated Child-Rearing Fund, covering various stages from pregnancy to a child's growth."
"For example, your Department of Magical Law Enforcement could establish a new Marriage Department to register Wizard couples who marry."
"Once these Wizard couples have children, they would receive two hundred Galleons per month in child-rearing expenses, until the child comes of age."
"Each child would receive money every month; the more children, the more they receive, with no upper limit."
"Of course, two hundred Galleons is just a number I threw out; the specific amount should be determined after further investigation and research."
The principle is actually very simple: neither having nor raising children is an easy task.
If the Ministry of Magic wants to encourage childbirth, it cannot merely shout slogans but must take on the responsibility of a Wizard government.
After all, raising children is both time-consuming and expensive. If the Ministry of Magic can alleviate the burden on Wizards in this regard, Wizard families' willingness to have children will naturally increase.
Hearing Sebastian's explanation, Percy's face was filled with emotion.
Their Weasley family had always been quite strapped for cash precisely because they had so many children.
If the Ministry of Magic had implemented such a policy earlier, their family would not have struggled so much.
It's worth noting that their younger brother Ron couldn't even afford his own wand when he first started Hogwarts, using an old wand left by his older brother Charlie.
If he hadn't earned some money through part-time work, who knows when he would have been able to own his own wand.
Amelia also had no objection; she only needed Sebastian to explain a few sentences to understand that this Child-Rearing Fund was a good thing beneficial to the Wizarding World.
She would certainly strongly support such a policy, even if she herself would not benefit from it.
"Sebastian, after the Child-Rearing Fund, what is the next priority for fund allocation?"
Allocation priority?
That must be to allocate resources towards education, making education free for everyone!
As the Muggle saying goes, it takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to nurture people.
Investment in education is crucial; tax revenue should not merely accumulate wealth, but be used to benefit future generations.
Sebastian seriously told Amelia, "First, Hogwarts, as the premier academy of our Wizarding World, needs continuous financial support."
Currently, Hogwarts' funding primarily comes from donations by school governors and the development of the Forbidden Forest, but this is still not enough.
After universal taxation, the Ministry of Magic needs to provide more allocations to Hogwarts to ensure facility upgrades, curriculum development, and improved salaries for Professor.
"In addition, Little Wizards incur significant expenses when purchasing school uniforms and textbooks for the first time. The Ministry of Magic can also provide some financial assistance for these educational supplies, just as Little Wizards receive discounts when purchasing their first wand."
This would reduce the burden on families, making 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 also need to consider investment in basic education, especially at the kindergarten and primary school stages."
"Wizard children should receive the best education and guidance. The Ministry of Magic can allocate funds to support these basic educational institutions, ensuring they have sufficient resources to nurture Wizard children."
Hogsmeade New Town has already established a Wizard Kindergarten and a Wizard Primary School.
Parents don't have to pay any fees to send their children to school, which is convenient, effortless, and cost-effective.
Swan Alchemy has always invested a large amount of funds into it. After all, whether it's teacher recruitment, infrastructure maintenance, or the children's meal expenses, it's a considerable outlay.
If it was before, Swan Alchemy would have to pay this money.
But with the implementation of universal taxation, the Ministry of Magic should take responsibility, at the very least covering half of the expenses, and more if circumstances allow.
"Not only education, but scientific research is also key to development," Sebastian spoke fluently, "To make the Wizarding World develop rapidly, we must recognize the importance of scientific research."
"Amelia, you should know that we have established a research institute in Hogsmeade New Town and are recruiting ambitious individuals from all over the world to conduct safe magic research there."
"The Ministry of Magic can increase funding for magic research institutes and sponsor 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 adequate funding."
Amelia nodded repeatedly; she felt that Sebastian's words were extremely reasonable, and by following his suggestions, the British Wizarding World would surely develop for the better.
After just a few years of development, the British Wizarding World would become a Wizard holy land for the entire world, attracting many Wizards to settle and work there.
Thinking of this, Amelia showed a playful expression: "Sebastian, you're quite shrewd."
"Whether it's the kindergarten, the primary school, or the Wizard Research Institute, each one has a direct connection to you, Sebastian."
"With allocations from the Ministry of Magic, Swan Alchemy will be able to save a sum of money."
"By then, you'll have both fame and profit; from every perspective, you won't lose out."
"Hehe," hearing the implication in Amelia's words, Sebastian grinned, "It's not that exaggerated; it's just a win-win."
"Ultimately, it's 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've planned so much for the Wizarding World; we can't let a deserving contributor feel disheartened."
"Besides education, is there anything else you'd like to add?"