Whether it's school books or a visit to the zoo: Many families now have to pay every penny twice because of the rising cost of living. In order to defuse the situation, family minister Paus calls for more child benefits.
Because of the massive price increases for energy and food, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus fears that more families in Germany could live below the poverty line in the future. In order to relieve them, Paus advocates structural measures. "We won't get through the winter with one-off payments," she said on the RTL program "Nachtjournal Spezial".
As an example of structural relief, Paus named an increase in child benefit, which should be higher than the additional costs caused by inflation. "You can calculate inflation and then it should be above that," said the minister. This is also an important further step towards basic child security.
"The danger that child poverty will increase is great," said the Greens politician to the editorial network Germany. Many people, especially families with children, are "standing with their backs to the wall" because of price developments, she emphasized. "It's now about existence." "We have to improve that."
Lindner wants to increase and standardize the child benefit in two stages. In the coming year, there will be 227 euros per month for the first, second and third child, and 250 euros from the fourth child. In 2024, the rates for the first to third child are to be raised again - to 233 euros. The child benefit is currently 219 euros for the first and second child, 225 euros for the third and 250 euros from the fourth child.
The third relief package must be ready before the gas levy is due, Paus demanded from RTL. "It can't be that people have to leave their homes just because they can't pay the bills," said Paus. "We are therefore well advised to put together the third package before October." She is confident that the traffic light will come to a solution.
The night journal special "This is how we relieve families in the winter crisis" with Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus will be broadcast on Friday night at 0.25 a.m.
