More than BD1 billion ($2.65 billion) has been spent by the Bahrain government to help people meet inflation and emergencies over the past six years, the Finance Ministry announced yesterday.

A further BD335.86 million will be spent this year to help people through various benefits.

Government financial support included increased wages, government staff bonuses, support for the needy, widows and handicapped, compensation for those affected by fire and the giving of 30 per cent of Seef Mall stocks' profits to the poor, said the ministry.