Parliamentary committee wants to further increase family allowances
Published: Tuesday, Oct 8th 2024, 16:50
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In future, child allowances should be at least CHF 250 and education allowances at least CHF 300. The Committee for Social Security and Health of the Council of States (SGK-S) has spoken out in favor of drafting a corresponding bill and backed a decision by its sister committee by 7 votes to 3 with 2 abstentions.
With the increase in family allowances, the commission wants to compensate for the loss of purchasing power that families are facing due to inflation and rising health insurance premiums and rents, the commission announced on Tuesday. In particular, it wants to prevent families from not having more children for financial reasons.
An adjustment to family allowances decided by the Federal Council at the end of August is insufficient in the Commission's view. According to this, the child allowance will rise from CHF 200 to CHF 215 in 2025 and the education allowance from CHF 250 to CHF 268 per month.
The increase in family allowances is the first adjustment since the Family Allowances Act came into force in 2009. Family allowances are intended to partially compensate parents for the costs of supporting their children. The federal government sets a minimum amount per child and month for the family allowances paid out in the cantons.
According to the Commission, which is referring to the administration, raising the minimum rates is expected to lead to additional costs of CHF 563 million. This would require higher employer contributions. The majority of cantons would have to adapt their practices, as only a few cantons currently pay family allowances of CHF 250 or more. The next step is for the sister committee in the National Council to draw up a revision of the law.
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