News item | 09-06-2023 | 3:30 pm
“We need to make the hard easier.” The government embraces this message from the interdepartmental policy study (IBO) Social Security Simplification. The social security system has become unintentionally complex over the years. This can lead to stress, health problems and a loss of confidence in the government, especially for people who have to deal with different schemes. The government therefore endorses the need to simplify the social safety net.
A major simplification of the social security system is not easy and takes time. Simplification also has dilemmas. For example, a simpler system can be less targeted, so that supporting the Dutch costs the government more money or a larger group has to be served with the same money.
To make things easier for people, the government wants to take a closer look at the system. The government is therefore setting up a new government-wide program Simplification of Income Support for People (VIM) together with implementers and municipalities. This program starts with scenarios for simpler long-term income support. The program also tackles bottlenecks that arise when people have to deal with a concurrence of regulations.
At the same time, where possible, the government is already working with implementers and municipalities to simplify social security. For example, the government is working on improvements within the Participation and Unemployment Act. The way of enforcement is also examined. In doing so, the government will always take the lessons and insights from the IBO into account. The government response that went to the House today contains a complete overview of all initiatives to simplify social security and its implementation for people who depend on it.
The IBO Social Security Simplification provides insight into the major task facing social security. Simplification is only promising if those involved – including central government, implementers and politicians – continuously take simplicity into account when developing and assessing legislation and regulations.