Dispute over social spending: Associations sound the alarm in MV!

Dispute over social spending: Associations sound the alarm in MV!

The situation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is tense: a dispute has broken out between the state government and the social associations over the planned social spending in the upcoming state budget. Almost 280 organizations, including clubs, advice centers and social centers, have made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) to draw attention to their concerns. They fear that cuts will particularly hit needy people hard. The reason for these concerns is the budget accompanying law, which is being debated in the state parliament and is due to be passed in December. This regulation could have profound effects on the financial resources of daycare centers and social institutions, such as Wismar.fm reported.

Disputes over household and social care

The central points of contention are the financial resources for operating daycare centers and assistance for people with disabilities, which are to be reregulated in the draft law. Social associations such as DRK, AWO and Diakonie in particular express clear criticism of the planned changes. Your fears are not unfounded: There could be fewer daycare centers in rural areas because they have to bear unforeseeable additional costs themselves without being allowed to build up reserves. In addition, the new regulation on reimbursement, which only applies to children who are actually present, is viewed as a potential financial burden for the facilities. According to NDR, this is causing great uncertainty among employees, who are worried about fewer staff and a higher workload. And so the pressure on the state government is enormous, especially because access for people with disabilities is perceived to be threatened.

However, Education Minister Simone Oldenburg (Left) firmly rejected the allegations of cuts. She promises that the daycare centers will continue to exist in their current form and that none will be closed. “More than 550 million euros will be made available for daycare centers in the new budget,” she emphasizes, according to information from N TV. It is also made clear that the affected families should continue to receive childcare for up to ten hours a day and free of charge.

Future challenges and perceptions

The new regulations aim to create both efficiency and transparency after the costs of integration assistance have risen sharply in recent years. These expenses amounted to 288 million euros in 2016 and are expected to increase to 686 million euros by 2025. Nevertheless, there remains concern that social services in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are at risk, which the feedback from the associations confirms. Although the government rejects the allegations that cuts would jeopardize offers of help, the protest by the League of Independent Welfare Associations, which will soon take place in Schwerin, illustrates the ongoing tensions. Their motto: "MV remains social! For a secure future of social offerings in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania."

The conflict between the financial efficiency of the state government and the fears of social associations remains a hot topic. With a significant increase in social spending on the horizon and at the same time falling income, a complex situation is emerging that concerns many citizens and employees in social professions. It remains to be hoped that the discussions between the parties will be constructive and a solution will be found that takes into account the needs of all those involved and protects social services in the region.