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Royals good value for money, says ministerWednesday 16 September 2009 The Dutch royal family is more than good value for money, finance minister Wouter Bos said on Wednesday, in response to suggestions that queen Beatrix's budget should be cut as one of the government's planned cost savings. On Tuesday, it emerged government spending on the royal family will be at least €40m this year, excluding the cost of security, state visits and maintaining the palaces. Of that Beatrix gets a 'salary' of €834,000 and almost €4.3m in expenses. 'I am not sure if this is an area where we should be cutting. Since last year there has been a major move to make the royal household's budget more transparent,' Bos said. 'Personally, I think our royal family is more than worth the money.' Some MPs have also called for cuts in royal spending. During Wednesday's debate on the government's spending plans, PVV leader Geert Wilders said the queen, crown prince Willem-Alexander and princess Máxima should all have their personal allowances cut by 20%. The government wants to cut spending by 20% overall from 2011. He was supported by the Socialist Party, left-wing greens GroenLinks and other fringe parties. GroenLinks leader Femke Halsema said the royal family should also pay inheritance and income tax. But Christian Democrat leader Pieter van Geel refused to be drawn on the issue. 'I am not going to discuss individual budgets now,' he said. © DutchNews.nl
Yes, if Queen Beatrix can call on all Dutch citizens to help get the country through the economic crisis, well, who is more Dutch than the royal family, who should be leading by example. Do as I say, not as I do just doesn't cut it. By Ronen Ben-Hai | September 16, 2009 4:23 PM Mr. Bos, just to ask, aren't people in health care (zorg) more than worth their money? And what about investment in education; isn't that worth its money? By Hans | September 16, 2009 4:46 PM If the royal family really cares, they will OFFER a cut By Edward Ka-Spel | September 16, 2009 6:32 PM Come on, now. Everyone is afraid to confront royalty, as if they don't in the confines of their home, wish they could. Be brave and treat these people the same as others are treated...royalty extends to their duties, not their exemptions from paying like everyone else does. They don't pay taxes? What? Why? Because they visit far away places to represent Holland? I'll go in their place, dress nicely, behave nicely, and hopefully be excluded from all taxes and be given a huge salary. By barbara | September 16, 2009 7:22 PM The royal family has collected money for hundreds of years, if they like to play royal, let them do it from their own money. By A.B.Olij | September 17, 2009 1:08 AM Beatrix is already one of the richest women in the world with her stake in Shell...around 5 billion, lastI heard. They don't need a penny from tax payers and should accept their responsibility to help their homeland finanacially and not with just ribbon cutting and hot air. Let them eat peperkoek! By AW | September 17, 2009 9:06 AM A hypercritic from a PVDA. Has PVDA lost its party’s believe and principles? By DL | September 17, 2009 9:17 AM "Let them eat cake" By langer | September 17, 2009 9:19 AM Ongezellig. That might work for you WB but it isn't what 'good value' means to the average citizen. By J. | September 17, 2009 11:58 AM i like the title.."Royals good value for money"..i accept taking half, am i not better value for money???? By kos | September 17, 2009 12:01 PM Time to end the royal houses in all countries. Time to end the free money to the "families" who are not needed to control a country anymore. Lets get back on track to the 21st century and end the royalties that the "royals" receive for being a royal pain in the *%#. By Paul Martin | September 17, 2009 3:00 PM The power of the Royals come from that of the energy monopoly of oil they own. Like all the elites in the world. Remove their control of the oil company's and energy resources and they have no more power. That is the only thing keeping them in power. Believe me they are pulling strings behind the curtain. By cp | September 19, 2009 2:58 AM Im with you Paul get rid of ALL the royals of the world!!! and let them all work at McDonalds for minium wage By howard de barfield de la chappelle | September 19, 2009 6:45 PM Long life to the royal family By pedro teixeira | September 21, 2009 3:42 PM
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'Scuse me? Actually, with 25 MPs in the the Tweede Kamer, the SP is the Dutch parliament's biggest opposition party! It's a 'fringe party' only in Wouter Bos's nostalgic dreams...
By Steve McGiffen | September 16, 2009 4:11 PM