Saving on the poorest people is unacceptable, said Ombudsman Juris Jansons in an interview on TV3’s “900 Seconds”.
The Ombudsman’s Office had already stressed that the government’s planned decisions on next year’s budget and procedures will have the most negative impact on the low-income groups, which will only increase the gap between social groups.
Jansons recalled that a decision had been taken that only the needy would receive food parcels, and in smaller numbers.
“You can’t skimp on poor people because they already have nothing. What is left for them to do – live under a bridge and rummage through rubbish? That’s responsible government policy for me! All this is unconstitutional and contrary to the principles of a responsible state,” said Jansons.
It has already been announced that, due to austerity measures, people with low-income status will no longer receive food parcels from next year, which will be available only to the poor and people in crisis situations in Latvia and Ukraine.
As explained in the information report of the Ministry of Welfare, this decision was taken due to the lack of funds for the European Social Fund Plus Material Deprivation Programme. The changes foresee that from next year only persons with the status of a needy household and persons in crisis, including Ukrainians, will be included in the group of beneficiaries of food parcels.