How much money do parents need to provide their children with a dignified life in Luxembourg? And do the government’s support measures suffice to make this possible? These were among the questions that the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) was recently tasked to answer in a report on social cohesion.
On Monday morning, the Institute’s findings were presented to MPs in the Chamber’s family commission. The report concludes that families eligible for support manage to cover the needs of small children if they request all aids. However, in many cases people fail to file the respective requests.
MP Mars Di Bartolomeo from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) commented: “It is a priority to make sure that we take care of people eligible for support, but who did not receive it. There is a need for action in that regard and we need to assess the cause of the problem.”
The STATEC report found more problems in the care for teenagers, underlined MP Max Hahn from the Democratic Party (DP), who also presides the family commission. He explained that single parents in particular are affected and that a tax reform might bring about change.
The report established a reference budget to cover the basic needs of a young person. This includes elements such as a driving license, a laptop, and a mobile phone.
MP Djuna Bernard from the Greens said it is clear the the amount of the budget is insufficient for single parents raising several children and earning the minimum wage. She stated: “This tells us politicians where to start and how to get things moving in the right direction. For example, a credit for single parents, which we will introduce in the next budget, is the right response to the finding.”
MP Marc Spautz from the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) drew attention to the need for more targeted measures and for helping people file requests for support: “Youths above the age of twelve in particular need our help.”
