Netherlands

The chair of Slotervaart local authority in Amsterdam, Ahmed Marcouch, says the Dutch city's anti-poverty policy is too non-committal and tends to make people more dependent. Marcouch made his remarks at a poverty conference in the Amsterdam district. He said the system of free services and food banks does not encourage people to find work. Marcouch said he knew children who did not know a single father or mother on their street with a job. The Labour politician said this meant children would grow up believing there was no need to work. (Radio Netherlands)