Brandt's Social Reforms

• Many West Germans hoped Brandt would make social reform a key part of his policies. In the context of global economic problems and the SPD government dealt with these more effectively than any of its European partners.
• Brandt's government introduced a range of social measures and increased spending on social welfare as a percentage of GDP, from 25% to 33% during his period in office. This increased government spending, fuelling inflation and causing disagreements within his coalition on how to deal with the situation.
• On the resignation of Schiller over cutbacks in government expenditure in June 1972, Schmidt took over the role of minister of finance and economics. Brandt and the SPD did well in the November 1972 elections and Brandt continued to be chancellor until he was forced to resign in 1974.
• Education Reform:

  • 300% increase in expenditure on education and scientific research
  • Educational Support Law made more grants available to poorer students who wanted to attend university
  • School leaving age raised to 16
• Pension Reform:

  • Pensions for those wounded in the war raised by 5%
  • Pensions for widows of German soldiers increased by 16%
  • Flexible retirement age introduced - state pensions could be accessed after age 63
  • Full-time carers who might not be in paid employment given state pensions
• Healthcare Reform:

  • Health insurance extended to different groups (self-employed, agricultural workers and dependents etc) who were not previously covered
  • Grants to help parents caring for sick children
  • Preventive medical examinations for all children under the age of 5 and early cancer detection in women over 30 and men over 45
• Housing Reform:

  • Social housing budget increased by 36%