Brazil's government announced on Friday a fresh 22.1 billion reais ($4.40 billion) spending block to comply with an expenditure growth cap in its fiscal framework, adding to a 1.6 billion reais restraint unveiled two months ago. In its bimonthly revenue and expenditure report, the government said the total 23.7 billion reais spending block was required due to rising mandatory expenditures, notably higher social benefits, pension and payroll costs, which have squeezed available room under the cap and forced restraints on other outlays.