Jens Spahn (CDU) has questioned the planned increase in Bafög. The Union parliamentary group leader told the “Münchner Merkur” that state benefits such as citizen’s income, housing allowance, parental allowance and Bafög could not be increased in the foreseeable future. “In some areas we have to save – at least as long as we have no growth,” Spahn said.
Just a few weeks ago, coalition politicians announced an agreement on the Bafög reform stipulated in the coalition agreement after lengthy discussions. The plan is to increase the housing cost flat rate for students who no longer live with their parents from 380 to 440 euros per month. In the long term, Bafög is to be raised to the level of basic security. However, the reform is subject to a financing caveat.
The chairman of the German National Association for Student Affairs, Matthias Anbuhl, sharply criticized Spahn. The younger generation was “being run over” by his theses. Anyone who spends billions on a fuel discount while saving on educational opportunities is acting “anti-performance and blind to the future”. Dropouts due to lack of money were damaging Germany as a business location.
Source: www.welt.de
