As in the 2022 report, the Ombudsman is concerned about people with too little money. This was while the cabinet wanted to considerably reduce the number of people living in poverty. In March, the Central Planning Bureau (CPB) calculated that about 815,000 people live below the poverty line. Without extra support next year, it will be close to 1 million, the CPB has warned.
Van Zutphen notes that too many people have fallen below the social minimum – which, according to the government, someone needs to at least make ends meet. The Ombudsman himself speaks of an ‘antisocial minimum’, both in the overseas territories and in the Netherlands. ‘We have a social minimum in the Netherlands, but there are many people who are below that. We know who they are but do nothing about it. I find it very tragic, almost antisocial.”
Spoon on top
Faced with lingering issues like the benefits affair and Groningen, Van Zutphen says citizens can’t wait any longer. What we said last year still applies. However, what we said then didn’t have enough effect, so we need to reinforce it. You have to make time, because there can be no more waiting. If you don’t make that time it will be even worse than it already is.’
If it is the responsibility of the ombudsman, giving time to the citizen must be of the highest priority. Because, he says, “if you don’t make that time, then all the time you give to something else will be in vain.” I recommend setting aside that time in the beginning and then thinking about how to spend the rest of the time in such a way that you get results.’