Ananova:

Authorities in Moscow say people in the city need only five pairs of underpants every two years and can make do with a new coat every seven.

They also say Muscovites need to eat 7.68 kg (around 17lbs) of brown bread along with 2.55 kg (5.5lbs) of cabbage and sauerkraut a month.

In a new report, the city government reckons people need only 1,872.97 roubles (around £48) per month to survive in the Russian capital.

All regions in the country have been told to calculate the cost of a basket of goods to show how much money people need to survive, but not all city officials are happy with the city's result, The Moscow Times reports.

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov said: "I don't see any cultural needs being addressed - they need to be present here.

"We have sauerkraut on the list but nothing about a person's aesthetic demands. People cannot become creatures."

Under the new calculations, the standard Moscow pension will be increased from about 1,000 roubles (around £26) to 1,300 roubles (around £33.20) as of January 1, according to Moscow's social services committee.