Duo debts due to the benefits affair are not waived
Duo debts due to the benefits affair are not waived
Nov 29, 2023 Higher Education News Agency (HOP)
- Head Office, Department of Education Implementation. Photo: Wikimedia commons
The outgoing cabinet is ignoring a motion by the House of Representatives to remediate student debts caused by the benefits affair. Enough customization would already be possible, is the reasoning.
The allowance affair left many parents in debt and their children sometimes borrowed money to help them, including at DUO. So adult children are also victims. geworden.Dat, the government is aware. Within the “recovery operation” of the benefits affair, a “child scheme” has been created “to get the lives of affected children on the right track and give them a helping hand”, as VVD Secretary of State Aukje de Vries described it in the House of Representatives.
Excluded
“We have earmarked 35 million euros for this, with the possibility that problematic debts will be remedied and that young people will receive extra support where desired,” she summarized in the debate. But debts with DUO are excluded from this. According to her, municipalities can offer customized services if these affected young people have stopped their education for fear of even higher debts. After all, such training may be necessary “to get their lives on track”. And at DUO, too, there would be plenty of options for customization. In addition, you can pay off student debts according to “capacity”, so you pay less if your income is low. Any residual debts will eventually be waived.
'Major failure'
But the House of Representatives was not convinced. In a motion, the SP called it a “major failure” on the part of the government if these children are not adequately compensated. The motion requests that student debts be 'no longer categorically excluded'. That motion received a majority because the CDA voted with the opposition.Still will the outgoing cabinet does not implement the motion. It is simply a standing policy that DUO debts are not remediable, says the explanation. And once parents have received money back, they can also pay back their children.
SHARE
.avif)