'Watering can' policies failing to tackle child poverty, says Paul Heber

On World Children's Day this year, UNICEF has opted to highlight child poverty. With 1 in 4 children in Luxembourg living in poverty, the situation has declined over the past decade, said Paul Heber, in spite of numerous social measures.

Reforms for child benefit

Living and housing costs have risen exponentially compared to wages and the situation is unbalanced. Therefore, those in need of more support should receive it, while those who need less should receive less. UNICEF proposes reforming the way child benefit is allocated in Luxembourg, and adapt the payments to each household's situation, the child's age and the parent's wage. Heber said in Luxembourg, social support is distributed "with a watering can", with the result that the money doesn't always go where it is needed most. Other examples are free childcare or free schoolbooks.

More targeted, less bureaucratic support

Single parents, families with many children and immigrant families are most likely to struggle with poverty and should therefore receive more targeted support. Child poverty impacts a child's education, their training and how they later contribute to the economy. Poverty also frequently goes hand in hand with health issues. UNICEF says targeted measures would cost less: 1.7% of the GDP instead of the current 3.4%. The UNICEF proposals could change Luxembourg's child poverty rate from 1 in 4 to 1 in 10.

National poverty plan in December 

In December, the government will present its national poverty plan. Heber said he hoped this would result in the financial support reaching the right people and that the poverty rate would not increase. He recommended Luxembourg look at other countries for ideas on how to proceed.