The poverty rate in Germany has never been as high as it is in 2022. Many citizens are already living at the subsistence level. The fact that gas prices are now also shooting up to dizzying heights would lead to a real “winter of despair” for people from low-income classes. This is what Ulrich Schneider, managing director of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, predicts in an interview with “n-tv”.
Many low-income citizens would then no longer be able to pay their energy bills. “Let’s not kid ourselves: you can’t and won’t pay then,” he says. However, any payment defaults should not result in power or gas cuts. “Energy must continue to flow into households,” says Schneider. That must also be laid down in the relief package, which, according to the head of the welfare association, will realistically not come until next spring and would therefore take effect too late.
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“October will be the really difficult month,” predicts Schneider. Then the gas prices would continue to rise, and the tank discount would also expire. The 9-euro ticket will also be history by then. He therefore calls for relief with immediate effect and proposes, among other things, an increase in the Hartz IV standard rate by 200 euros per month and an extension of the housing benefit to more groups of people.
Schneider, on the other hand, does not believe in a reduction in VAT. “Not everyone needs a price cut,” he said. When it comes to taxes, much more thought should be given to levying an inheritance tax or wealth tax. In addition, the managing director of the welfare association hopes for an excess profit tax.
In the meantime, Schneider could not keep a good hair on the policy and the attitude of Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP). The fact that Lindner, in times of inflation and rising living costs, describes the demand for further concessions on local public transport as a “free mentality” stuns Schneider: “That’s a cheek.”
The gas storage facilities in Germany were heavily filled on Saturday. The current storage level is 72 percent. By September 1, this must amount to 75 percent.
Because of the property tax reform, all house and apartment owners must send a declaration to the tax office. With the help of the “Elster” portal, the form can be completed and submitted from July 1, 2022. However, this brings some to the brink of despair.
Patricia Schlesinger has resigned from her position as RBB director. She has also resigned as head of the station. For the German press, the entire public service broadcaster now needs to be put to the test. Schlesinger played “a nice role”.
