F.For the SPD, it is one of the core issues in the coalition negotiations that begin on Wednesday: overcoming Hartz IV and introducing citizens’ money. This should “respect the dignity of the individual, enable them to participate in society and be digitally and easily accessible,” says the exploratory paper the traffic light coalition.
It should be easier for the recipients to earn something in addition to the performance – and they could be able to dispose of more spare assets in the future. The recipient’s “duty to cooperate”, however, should be retained. The working groups of the SPD, Greens and FDP want to work out together what that means.
But the SPD is already setting the bar high. “Citizens’ money must be adequate, that is clear,” said the SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken the “Taz”. The basis of the calculations would have to be the cost of living – and these have changed, as is currently shown by the example of energy costs: “The rates must take into account current wage and price developments.”
The SPD leader did not mention a specific amount of the future standard rates in order not to anticipate the negotiators. But the announcement arouses the expectation that recipients of basic income support could in future have significantly more money in their pockets.
Greens program: at least 50 euros more
Only in the election manifesto of the Greens is there a specific figure: at least 50 euros more. An increase in the standard rates by 0.7 percent is currently planned for January 1, 2022; a single adult would then receive three euros more Hartz IV – around 449 instead of the current 446 euros.
“A real reform also needs a recalculation and an increase in the standard rates,” demanded the President of the social association VdK, Verena Bentele. In particular, they were insufficient for health costs such as glasses and additional medication payments. The electricity costs have not yet been covered either, said Bentele WELT.
“If the calculation was correct, the standard rate should have been over 600 euros. In view of the rapidly rising prices for food and energy, a quick implementation of the new government is necessary here. ”An overcoming of the old Hartz IV system can also “only succeed with the abolition of the sanctions”.
A demand that Ulrich Schneider, General Manager of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, also makes. “Hartz IV can only be said to have really been overcome if the sanctions are no longer applicable and the standard rates are increased significantly and ultimately as needed, so that you can get through the month with it,” he said.
The will to do so cannot yet be seen in the exploratory paper – but this does not rule it out either. Schneider considers the currently planned small increase to be “clearly unconstitutional”: “No coalition can afford to remain inactive here.”
Habeck and Scholz disagree on tax relief
SPD chancellor candidate Scholz and Greens boss Habeck see no scope for tax relief for small and medium incomes through a traffic light coalition. This is only possible if a certain requirement is met.
Source: WELT / Achim Unser
Schneider assessed the announced reform of the additional income rules positively. With a basic security system that seeks to create incentives for the primary labor market, the previous regulation is difficult to reconcile.
“From our point of view, all income that is above 100 euros is to be kept income-free without a cap or level of 20 percent,” demanded Schneider. Above all, the Greens and the FDP are campaigning for better opportunities for additional income. “They form a firm ladder that leads out of Hartz IV,” says the Liberals’ election manifesto.
The Left Party, on the other hand, is critical of the announcement of improved opportunities for additional income. These are “no substitute for finally designing the standard needs to secure their livelihood,” said the member of the Bundestag and ex-party leader Katja Kipping.
“A large part of those affected do not even benefit from such additional earnings.” In their eyes, a significant increase in performance is needed. “If only the most obvious computing tricks are eliminated, the standard requirements should already be 658 euros”. Sanctions are a no-go for kipping. “The socio-cultural subsistence level is a basic right and basic rights are not curtailed.” In addition, every third sanction also affects households with children.
Thomas Heilmann from the CDU considers Esken’s demand to be “very fuzzy”. “Even today, the requirement rates are based on the cost of living,” he said. The administrative expert is skeptical of the abolition of sanctions. “An order mechanism is important – out of fairness to the working population and as help for those affected.” It must be more worthwhile for social benefit recipients to earn something in the future. However, the wage gap rule continues to apply.
René Springer, social policy spokesman for the AfD parliamentary group, even considers a major reform of Hartz IV to be necessary. “The taxpayer who finances the social benefits expects breaches of duty to be sanctioned,” said Springer. It also needs “stronger incentives to take up employment.” These include above all “higher wages and a lower tax and contribution burden for small and medium-sized incomes.”
The taxpayers’ association, on the other hand, rates the plans positively. “As far as the traffic light special paper is actually aimed at the bundling of various social benefits, this would mean less bureaucracy on all sides,” said President Reiner Holznagel.
At the same time, there must be more “opportunity-oriented elements” so that Recipients of basic income support get into employment faster if you take the initiative. “That is why additional earnings limits and their crediting are also part of the Bürgergeld readjusted. “
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