The plans of the new government express the urgency and will to tackle a number of important challenges, but the measures regarding healthcare, social security and working longer may increase inequality. The Social and Cultural Planning Office warned about this on Tuesday a reflection on the coalition agreement. According to the planning agency, almost everyone agrees that the health and social security systems are too complicated and need to be simplified, but simplification could lead to aid being less focused on those who need it most.
“Little attention is paid to the consequences of the policy for inequalities in society and groups in a vulnerable position,” the SCP writes. “For example, there are risks for intensive informal caregivers, people in need of care and people with limited digital skills.” The planning agency states that when it comes to system changes, it is important to pay explicit attention to what they mean for vulnerable groups.
Big promises
Furthermore, the SCP warns that making big promises that it is not certain whether they can be fulfilled is a risk, because citizens’ confidence in politics is low anyway. “It is important for citizen confidence to involve citizens themselves in policy and to present realistic plans,” the planning agency writes. “Promises that are not kept erode trust.”
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As an example, the SCP points to the great ambitions to reduce the number of asylum seekers, but the question is to what extent the Emergency Asylum Measures Act, the introduction of the dual status system and the European Asylum and Migration Pact will reduce the influx in the short term.
The Jetten cabinet also expects a lot from neighborhood cohesion and local initiatives for solving and preventing social problems, but only makes limited investments. According to the SCP, it is therefore uncertain whether the ambitions can be achieved.
