- November 10, 2022
- Posted by: Stratford Team
- Category: Economy
BERLIN, Nov 9 (Reuters) – Germany must tighten its energy-relief measures in the face of soaring inflation, ensuring only households and businesses that need help are on the receiving end while asking high earners to shoulder more of the burden, a panel of economic advisers said.
The current measures “relieve too much”, Monika Schnitzer, one of the five advisers said on Wednesday, pointing out that high earners also benefited from a fuel tax cut and a planned gas price brake.
That increases government debt more than necessary as well as stoking inflation, she added at a news conference.
The panel suggested in its annual report raising the top income tax rate or imposing an energy solidarity tax on high earners to help the government fund relief measures for those who need them.
“As long as the relief measures are effective, the burden should be placed on those who can afford it,” said Schnitzer.
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said the government…
