Coronia crisis leads to more social problems Inland

Increasing debts can lead to other problems such as stress, loneliness, domestic violence, learning arrears or even homelessness, the working group warns. One of the recommendations to the cabinet is therefore to offer early aid to vulnerable groups. This can prevent aggravation of financial and social problems. In the broad debt offensive advocated by the working group, municipalities and central government should work together on an “emergency stop”. Housing associations, health insurers, energy companies and the tax authorities can also participate.

“Groups that were already struggling are hit hard: the half a million poor families, victims of domestic violence, the homeless, the low-literate, people with a disability or with mental health problems,” says the working group. “In addition, new vulnerable groups are quickly emerging, such as self-employed workers, flex workers and graduated young people from MBO, HBO or university.”

The report also recommends involving young people more in decision-making about their own future. An example of this is to give singles the freedom to live with a limited number of people and thereby form a “household”. Another advice to the cabinet is to strengthen the resilience in all Dutch municipalities and to exchange good initiatives with each other.

The working group met with ministers Ferd Grapperhaus (Security and Justice) and Wouter Koolmees of Social Affairs and Employment. Mayor Paul Depla van Breda spoke as chairman of the G40 network, the network of the forty (medium) large cities. The Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) and the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP) also sat at the table.

–