The PES welcomes today’s Social Package from the European Commission, including the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy. Spearheaded by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, the urgently needed Anti-Poverty Strategy will fight child poverty, combat housing exclusion, and advance labour market inclusion. It is unacceptable that in a continent with the wealth and resources of Europe, millions of people live without the means to live in dignity. Urgent action is needed to ensure the eradication of poverty, as the European Commission has committed to by 2050.
The initiatives released today reflect the position of the PES: When people are struggling to pay for daily essentials, our societies, economies, and democracies become more fragile. In times of soaring costs of living, introducing new measures has never been more urgent. Poverty is not a personal failure, and we need to change the narrative on poverty accordingly. With the plans at hand, Europe sends a clear sign of support to those most in need, including children and young people. A strong Europe means a social Europe.
The Social Package proposes solutions where others divide, with the Anti-Poverty Strategy complemented by the strengthening of the European Child Guarantee, a recommendation on fighting housing exclusion, and proposals to improve the rights of persons with disabilities.
PES President, Stefan Löfven, said:
“The fact that one in five people and almost a quarter of children in the EU live at risk of poverty or social exclusion is unacceptable. We therefore commend the new initiatives led by European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu. Root causes must be tackled to make a difference for all those struggling to pay for rent, groceries, and energy, and mark an important step on the road to eradicating poverty. The next long-term EU budget must build on this, with the Child Guarantee being allocated a dedicated €20 billion. Every euro spent on combatting child poverty is not a cost, but an investment in Europe’s future.”
In December last year, Employment and Social Affairs ministers in the PES family called for a strong social agenda in the EU and an ambitious plan to combat child poverty.
