A working group comprising representatives from the federal government, states, and municipalities is advising on potential savings within the social sector, focusing particularly on benefits for people with disabilities and support for children and adolescents in need, according to “Der Spiegel”. A comprehensive 108-page “proposal book” created at the end of March, contains over 70 specific ideas designed to generate savings amounting to at least 8.6 billion euros. For instance, the peak associations of municipalities are calling for the allowance of maintenance subsidies to be restricted to individuals under the age of 13 and limited to a maximum of 72 months, a measure that would save one billion euros. Regarding school assistants and academic integration helpers, several proposals exist, including the complete discontinuation of services valued at three billion euros. Joachim Rock, chief executive of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, described the list as “an attack on achievements that are fundamental for social participation and that have been hard-won over decades”.
German Leaders Debate Spending Cuts for Social Welfare
