Families on lower and middle incomes will be up to €200 better off next year thanks to an increase in child-related benefits.

The maximum payout will rise to €1,142 a year for the first child and €898 for the second child in a family. Social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher said 800,000 families would be affected. The total cost of the measure, which was included in the autumn budget, is €130m.

‘Now that things are going better I want everyone to notice it in their wallets,’ said Asscher. ‘That includes families on low and middle incomes. They could use a nudge.’