A German welfare group has criticized the government’s freeze on unemployment benefits for 2025.
The Social Association of Germany (SoVD) said the freeze, which was confirmed by Labour Minister Hubertus Heil on Wednesday, showed the governing centre-left coalition is out of touch with the needs of job-seekers.
“Poverty is part of everyday life for many people in Germany. The fact that, after years of crisis and with prices for everyday necessities remaining at a high level, there is now a threat of a freeze is due to the current formula for calculating standard needs,” SoVD leader Michaela Engelmeier said.
Engelmeier added: “What is needed is a new procedure for determining needs that realistically reflects the everyday needs of those affected and prevents poverty from increasing further in our country.”
Heil earlier said freezing benefits was the “right thing to do,” with inflation falling to 1.9% in August.
