SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch has strongly opposed plans to cut the maintenance allowance (Unterhaltsvorschuss) benefiting teenagers. Speaking to the magazine “Focus,” Miersch stated that the guiding principle for this allowance must be that the solution cannot come at the expense of the children, particularly those aged 16 and 17.
The social democrat suggested that instead of targeting the children, the focus should be on holding fathers more accountable. He argued that “the problem is not the children, the problem is fathers who could pay but do not,” noting that these fathers leave their children unsupported, effectively shifting the financial burden onto the public sector and local communities.
This sentiment comes as Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) had announced intentions to eliminate the maintenance allowance for 16- and 17-year-olds in order to fulfill spending reduction requirements for her department.
Miersch countered this by demanding that the state must enforce compliance more rigorously. He asserted that those who are able to pay but refuse must be dealt with by the state “much faster and in a more tangible way.” He stressed that the government must recover the money consistently, using every legal means available. Looking towards the relevant ministry, the group leader added that he is awaiting concrete proposals from the Family Ministry on this matter.
