Dubois, Hans
Access to essential services for people on low incomes: Energy, public transport and digital communications
07 September 2022
Shifting the focus from energy subsidies to reducing energy dependence
10 June 2022
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions have caused energy prices to soar. Governments seeking to alleviate the negative impacts of price increases on households have introduced energy subsidies and VAT reductions for electricity, gas and fuel. While such policies may be needed to protect those most in need, subsidising energy use is a short-term solution – it is a temporary, partial compensation that does not always reach those who are hardest hit. Added to this, subsidising fossil fuel energy use conflicts with the EU’s aims to limit carbon emissions and maintains its energy dependency on third countries, such as Russia.
Forthcoming European Care Strategy must look towards the future
05 May 2022
The European Pillar of Social Rights states that ‘everyone has the right to affordable long-term care services of good quality, in particular home-care and community-based services’. Taking a step to make this principle a reality, the European Commission is currently preparing a European Care Strategy, expected in September 2022. Good access to care is crucial for the quality of life of people with care needs as well as the well-being of informal carers who care for family or friends. An ageing population translates into intensifying demand for long-term care (LTC). Meeting this demand calls for a future-oriented strategy, one that should identify current trends and seek to improve them. Here we present four policy options that such a strategy should include.
COVID-19 and older people: Impact on their lives, support and care
28 January 2022
Long-term care (LTC) workforce: employment and working conditions
19 April 2021
Wages in long-term care and other social services 21% below average
25 March 2021
Protecting access to healthcare during COVID-19 and beyond
18 January 2021
Long-term care workforce: Employment and working conditions
14 December 2020
Upward convergence in material well-being: Is a COVID-19 setback inevitable?
08 December 2020
Shaping the future of long-term care: A good outcome will benefit all
02 December 2020