Local authority leader considers reducing citizens' financial aid by 30%

German Association of Local Authorities Calls for Reform in Unemployment Benefits and Housing

The President of the German Association of Local Authorities, Achim Brotel, has called for a reform of the social state, particularly in the areas of unemployment benefits and housing for recipients of basic security.

Brotel expressed concern over the high costs associated with housing refugees, which amount to 3.4 billion euros per year. He is advocating for financial relief, particularly in this area, and has called on the federal government to provide support.

In addition, Brotel finds it unacceptable that many unemployment benefit recipients do not attend their appointments at the job center. As a result, he has proposed a 30% reduction in unemployment benefits for recipients who miss appointments without a valid reason.

Brotel also stated that the current local authority system is no longer affordable. He suggested a reform of the system to make it more efficient and cost-effective. One of his proposals is to abolish the one-year waiting period during which the cost of living is not checked for reasonableness in housing benefits.

Meanwhile, Carsten Linnemann, of the CDU, has proposed setting unemployment benefit to zero for recipients who repeatedly refuse reasonable job offers. The group of politicians from the SPD rejected this proposal, stating that unemployment benefit is not a basic income. However, it is not clear if Brotel has taken a stance on this issue.

The SPD leader Bärbel Bas has dismissed and rejected reform proposals from CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann regarding setting unemployment benefit to zero for recipients who repeatedly refuse reasonable work. It is not clear if Bas has also taken a stance on Brotel's proposals for reform.

Brotel emphasized the need for a reform of the social state, stating that unemployment benefit is not a basic income and that recipients should be held accountable for their actions. He called for tangible sanctions for uncooperative unemployment benefit recipients who do not attend their appointments or refuse reasonable job offers.

In conclusion, Brotel's proposals for reform in the areas of unemployment benefits and housing for recipients of basic security have received mixed reactions from politicians. However, it is clear that there is a need for change in the current system, particularly in light of the high costs associated with housing refugees and the unacceptable number of unemployment benefit recipients who do not attend their appointments.