Dobrindt had called for lower standard rates in an interview with Focus. SPD social policy expert Annika Klose rejected this, telling dpa that the rates were not significantly too high. Their level is statistically recalculated every five years and set by law, she said, so a new review is unnecessary.
Dobrindt, however, is convinced that far greater savings are possible in basic income than currently planned. Massive increases in the standard rate during the last legislative term led to high additional costs, he argued. He received support from CSU colleague Peter Aumer, who told Bild newspaper that the level and calculation of the citizen’s income standard rate should be reviewed.
In July, the citizen’s income will be replaced by basic income. Stricter rules will then apply to benefit recipients: benefits can be cut more sharply if recipients fail to cooperate with the job center, and job placement will take priority over qualification. Currently, around 5.3 million people in Germany receive citizen’s income.
Source: www.zeit.de
