SPD state leader Raed Saleh wants almost one billion euros for Berliners who cannot pay their energy costs. For this purpose, the state’s hardship fund, which was previously equipped with 380 million euros, is to be increased, as Saleh told the “Berliner Morgenpost”. This is to be financed by the country paying off less debt.
[If you want to have all the latest news live on your mobile phone, we recommend our app, which you can download here for Apple and Android devices.]
One should not save in the crisis, said Saleh. “That’s why I demand that we talk about the planned special debt repayment of 540 million euros. We can’t afford to make the special repayment right now. We need the money so that people can survive and don’t lose their homes because utility bills are too high.” It is important to prevent people from slipping into poverty through no fault of their own.
The House of Representatives has already approved the hardship fund in the amount of 380 million euros for increasing energy expenditure. He questions the special repayment and does not rule out “that we will open up other sources of money for it,” said the SPD state and parliamentary group leader.
