In the Netherlands, more than 400,000 children grow up in poverty. They cannot become socially isolated because of this. A winter coat, bicycle, school supplies, school equipment and music lessons can be paid for by municipalities, which will get an extra 100 million euros to provide children with these kinds of things. According to Jetta Klijnsma, state secretary for social affairs, the new approach will be more effective than increasing child benefits: "The money is often needed for other expenses or debts, so it does not reach the child. This is why we choose to help in kind."