Councils trial digital payment plans to stop households getting into debt

Two of the largest Dutch municipalities have launched an experiment to stop people getting into debt by helping them pay their household bills. Utrecht council is testing a ‘digital housekeeping book’ on 300 people on low incomes, which allows them to keep track of their fixed costs such as electricity, gas, rent and health insurance in a single app, as well as income sources such as benefits and supplements. The facility includes a financial buffer of up to €1,200, whereby...