New poll reaffirms, but questions, welfare state
17. februar 2012, 12:59 – opdateret 17. februar 2012, 13:08
As the poverty debate rolls on, a new Rambøll survey for Jyllands-Posten shows that 53 per cent of the electorate believe pensioners are 'poor', and 44 per cent say the same about benefits recipients. Students, the unemployed, and disability pensioners are next on the list.
Social researcher, Professor Jørgen Goul Andersen of Aalborg University, said the findings confirm the general view in society that benefits recipients don't have much money but challenged the impression that pensioners are poor.
"According to OECD figures Danish pensioners are relatively well off so the poll probably reflects a more sympathetic, than realistic, attitude," he said.
At the same time, the poll also shows that a significant majority of voters, 82 per cent, believe that benefits recipients under the age of 30 should be forced to work or get an education, reaffirmation of the perception that the welfare state is there to provide help when needed but everybody has to contribute, according to Minister for Employment Mette Frederiksen.
The government is still working on its benefits reform proposals but Ms Frederiksen has previously stated that a 'carrot and stick' philosophy is needed.
