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Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens)
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) calls for further targeted help for families in view of the high inflation.
"I can already see an additional need for relief for families," Paus told the "Handelsblatt" (Friday edition).
“Families suffer the most from rising food and energy prices.
That's why they're the first to need relief.« According to Paus, it would be conceivable to pay out a third family bonus.
"That is a possible measure," said the minister.
Such a one-time payment was distributed to families twice during the corona pandemic.
Paus said that it would also “inevitably have to be discussed about tax allowances, an increase in child benefit and higher standard rates”.
The state must also ensure that families do not have their electricity cut off when energy bills rise.
"Power cuts don't work at all, we have to take care of that."
On the other hand, the Green politician views the proposal by Social Affairs Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) to introduce social climate money with a certain skepticism: "A payment staggered according to income via wage tax is not trivial, as we had to find out with the second relief package," she said .
Paus said that the compensation for inflation-related tax increases – known in technical jargon as cold progression – as proposed by FDP boss Christian Lindner would benefit the most.
»I see the edge of resilience being reached more in other groups.
For many people it can be about existential needs.
That's where we have to start.«
Paus also wants to create a social balance with her most important reform, basic child security.
"The fact that the wealthiest families receive the greatest state relief for their children does not correspond to my idea of social justice," said the family minister.
»The relief from the child allowance should be achieved in full by the guaranteed amount of the basic child security.«
till/AFP