Status: 07/15/2022 05:32 a.m
Minister of Labor Heil wants to ensure that future state aid packages only relieve small and medium incomes. He also announced a “significant” increase in Hartz IV benefits.
In the debate about further relief because of the high inflation, Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil insists that only people with small and middle incomes should be supported. “Because the state possibilities are not infinite, it is about targeted relief,” said the SPD politician to the editorial network Germany. “I don’t see any scope to relieve people with high incomes.”
Higher prices are annoying for them, but not an existential problem. “In this serious crisis, we have to specifically focus the help on people with lower and middle incomes,” demanded Heil. “This is the only way we can keep our society together in difficult times.” In addition, the state must continue to invest in infrastructure, education and research.
Higher rates for Hartz IV recipients
Heil reiterated his goal of increasing the standard rates for Hartz IV recipients as part of the planned introduction of the new citizens’ income. “I will introduce the bill this summer and there will be a significant increase in standard rates early next year,” he said. “I am determined to change the way we calculate the standard rate. The current mechanism lags behind the price development too much.”
Heil had already proposed in May to change the calculation so that the standard rates for citizen income per person and month are 40 to 50 euros higher than in the previous basic security. The citizens’ allowance announced by the traffic light coalition is intended to replace the current Hartz IV system.