2023-09-14 10:27:19
The SPÖ is working on a model for basic child security. A basic amount is planned in which all child and family benefits are summarized, and a further additional payment staggered according to household income, as the deputy club chairwoman of the SPÖ, Eva-Maria Holzleitner, explained to journalists on Thursday. The blueprint might be a Volkshilfe project.
This provides for a basic monthly amount of 285 euros, essentially instead of family allowance and child tax credit. In addition, there should be amounts staggered according to income for low-income earners, i.e. around two full-time employees with a minimum income, as Hanna Lichtenberger, social policy expert at Volkshilfe, explained. The basic child benefit in this model amounts to a maximum of 872 euros per person.
As Holzleitner emphasized, inflation and with it the sharp rise in food prices are particularly hard on families with several children, those affected by poverty, single parents and low-income earners. The situation has now worsened to such an extent that even nutrition is affected. For example, carrots increased by 23.4 percent, oranges by 31.5 percent and bananas by 16.9 percent more expensive than the previous year. Almost half a million do not have the financial means to consume meat, fish or an adequate vegetarian dish every two days, Holzleitner sees a “massive need for action”.
Lichtenberger confirmed this representation: Not a day goes by for the advisors at Volkshilfe “when the topic of nutrition is not present.” Ultimately, those affected by poverty or the lowest fifth of income would have to spend a significantly higher proportion on food and housing than the highest fifth of income. Children and young people at risk of poverty are particularly affected. And child poverty has consequences, for example studies show that it affects children throughout their lives.
The social expert explained that healthy foods tend to be more expensive than those that have a lot of calories and sugar: “Many people reduce fruit and vegetables and meat because they can no longer afford it and tend to resort to processed foods.” Children affected by poverty eat breakfast less often and have fewer chances to consume fruit and vegetables. There is a phenomenon where people affected by poverty consume enough calories but too few nutrients. In addition, children “know very well regarding their situation,” says Lichtenberger: “They know that their living conditions are precarious and that food will be scarce at the end of the month.”
Holzleitner criticized the black-green government for its inaction. Although a package was put together under pressure from the opposition, this “does not permanently eliminate child poverty”. In addition to actual basic child security, the SPÖ also believes it is necessary to suspend VAT on food. Of course, this is accompanied by a powerful anti-inflation commission that monitors whether the food trade actually passes on the reduction. According to the club’s deputy chairwoman, they are ready to discuss what such a shopping basket with VAT-reduced foods might look like.
Holzleitner once once more renewed the requirement for a healthy, warm lunch per day for every child. This must be introduced in schools and kindergartens. In Vienna, this has already been implemented in all-day care in compulsory schools. This model should now be expanded to the whole of Austria, said Holzleitner.
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