Heil wants to reduce citizens’ benefits for those who refuse to work
“No citizen’s benefit for people who could actually work!”
How the traffic light plans to plug the 17 billion euro hole in the 2024 budget is still not clear, criticizes CDU politician Philipp Amthor. “If you can work, you have to go to work,” he demands with regard to social spending on WELT TV. This is also part of his party’s new basic program.
If you don’t want to go to work, your citizen’s benefit should be completely canceled for two months. This is what a draft by Labor Minister Hubertus Heil provides for. “We will tighten the sanctions options against total objectors,” said the minister.
bFederal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) wants to at least temporarily withdraw support from citizens’ benefit recipients if they consistently refuse to work. This emerges from a draft of the so-called Second Budget Financing Act 2024, which was available to the Reuters news agency. According to the draft, which is currently being coordinated by the department, the service should be completely canceled for two months.
“Anyone who doesn’t go along and refuses all offers will face harsher consequences. We will therefore tighten the sanction options against total objectors,” said Heil of the “Pictureas justification. “It cannot be the case that a small minority brings the entire system into disrepute.” The SPD politician also emphasized the need for social security. The “overwhelming majority” of benefit recipients cooperate in attempts to gain further qualifications and find work.
The planned citizen’s money bonus for further training should also be abolished. However, the financial incentives such as further training allowances and further training bonuses should be retained. The changes are the result of the budget negotiations in the traffic light coalition, in which the Ministry of Labor also has to make a contribution to consolidation.
Citizens’ money is increasing more than ever before
The draft shows that the Federal Employment Agency (BA) should transfer 1.5 billion euros to the federal government in 2024 and 2025 as compensation for previous subsidies. The Federal Agency should then pay 1.1 billion euros in 2026 and 2027. In addition, it should be stipulated that unemployment insurance contributions can only be reduced if the employment agency has set aside a reserve of 0.8 percent of the gross domestic product.
“This increases legal certainty for the BA and those paying contributions,” it says. Citizens’ benefit for around 5.5 million adults and children in basic security will increase by up to 61 euros per month in 2024, increasing more than ever before – by a good twelve percent. In 2025, the increase is expected to be very low.
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