DutchNews.nl - Divisions loom over budget cuts

Divisions are already looming between ministers about how to cut €35bn off the budget to get government spending back under control.

Although no formal proposals have yet been made, home affairs minister Guusje ter Horst said at the weekend the police should be spared.

'New police spending cuts are not on the table and would be irresponsible as far as I am concerned,' Ter Horst was quoted as saying in the Volkskrant.

Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen told a conference it would be very shortsighted to cut the defence ministry budget in 'this uncertain world'.

And, according to the Financieele Dagblad, he also criticised Labour suggestions that the top tax rate be raised to 60%. That would be 'a classic mistake, which would only make the Dutch and the Netherlands poorer,' he was reported as saying.

The ministers' statements would appear to contradict a cabinet commitment to there being no taboos in terms of potential cuts.

Twenty special commissions are currently going through all aspects of government policy, looking for ways to slash spending or boost treasury income. Their reports are due before June and final decisions are timetabled to come before the 2011 budget presentation in September

Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende has also said he is opposed to suggestions to increase the top tax rate to 60%.

On Sunday night the mayors of Amsterdam, the Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht also launched a plea for no cuts in spending on the police.

'The big cities are the main suppliers of newspaper crime stories,' said Utrecht mayor Aleid Wolfsen during a debate in Amsterdam.

Education should also be spared the government axe, the mayors said. Education is the key to involving problem youth in society, the Hague mayor Jozias van Aartsen said.

Cuts? Lets start with terminating the Joint Strike Fighter. There is no rational reason for us, a small country, to need a modern jet fighter. Let the EU start an air force.

By bobsocks | February 8, 2010 9:53 AM

bobsocks, you say:-

"Let the EU start an airforce".

A good idea, but as the Netherlands is a major contrubutor to the EU, who do you expect will be paying for it?

By Karl H | February 8, 2010 12:37 PM

Karl H you say:
"A good idea, but as the Netherlands is a major contrubutor to the EU, who do you expect will be paying for it?"

Good point. So we should do away with an air force!

By bobsocks | February 8, 2010 5:50 PM

Once we agree that one department is spared then they all can claim an exemption and we are back where we were. Every single department, including the Queen, should have an across the board 10% cut. Then more cuts in everything except police and medical. Schools chould only be cut so that uni education is not so grossly subsidized as it is now.

By Matt | February 8, 2010 7:21 PM

This government only seems to care about selfish power & control, and NOT US!
If anything, there will be an increase in the police force to match the government's plans. I don't dislike this government at all, I just hate it!!! I just might buy that damn boat after all!

By stevie | February 9, 2010 11:59 PM