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Minister for Family Affairs Paus: »The risk of increasing child poverty is great«
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IMAGO/Political Moments
Because of the drastic price increases for energy and food, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus fears that more children in Germany will live in poverty.
The Green politician therefore spoke out in favor of further relief.
"The danger that child poverty will increase is great," Paus told the editorial network Germany.
"That's why we have to take countermeasures with further relief."
Many people, especially families with children, are "standing with their backs to the wall" because of price developments, said Paus.
"It's now about existence."
Paus renewed her call for a significant increase in child benefits to help families in times of high inflation.
The Minister for Family Affairs considers the increase in child benefit planned by Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) to be insufficient to compensate for inflation.
"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.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised again on Wednesday evening that he would present another package to relieve citizens of inflation and high energy costs in the coming days.
The previous decisions of the traffic light coalition bring people in Germany 30 billion euros, and not all of it has arrived, said the SPD politician at the meeting in Neuruppin, Brandenburg.
But it is clear: “More has to happen.” The government will decide on this “in the next few days”.
aar/dpa