Poverty ‘quickscan’ approved

The Flemish government has approved an adjustment to the regulatory impact analysis. This first concrete step after they announced the poverty test in December last year means that in future new regulations will first be tested against their impact on the poor, with a so-called quickscan or fast screening process applicable from March. If such a scan should indicate that vulnerable groups or the poor are excluded or disadvantaged, a comprehensive poverty test will follow. According to the Flemish government, which is the only authority to introduce such a measure after Ireland, this approval marks a crucial step in the fight against poverty. So far the quickscan has tested the child premium, the maximum healthcare bill and recognition of social rental offices; with flying test result in all cases. One in ten people in Flanders currently live under the poverty line.