The Council recommendation aims to combat poverty and social exclusion, and to pursue high levels of employment by promoting adequate income support. It follows the proposal presented by the Commission last September.

The Council adopted today a Recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion. It sets out how Member States can modernise their minimum income schemes to make them more effective, lifting people out of poverty, while promoting the labour market integration of those who can work. 

Minimum income is cash payments that help households who need it to bridge the gap to a certain income level to pay the bills and live a life in dignity. They are particularly important in times of economic downturns, helping to cushion drops in household income for people most in need, thereby contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Well-designed social safety nets to help people in need

While minimum income exists in all Member States, their adequacy, reach, and effectiveness in supporting people vary significantly.

Today’s proposal for a Council Recommendation offers clear guidance to Member States on how to ensure that their minimum income schemes are effective in fighting poverty and promoting active inclusion in society and labour markets.

Member States are recommended to:

• improve the adequacy of income support
• improve the coverage and take-up of minimum income
• improve access to inclusive labour markets
• improve access to enabling and essential services
• promote individualised support
• increase the effectiveness of governance of social safety nets at EU, national, regional and local level, as well as monitoring and reporting mechanisms