Spending cut recommendations speeded up
Wednesday 24 February 2010
Acting finance minister Jan Kees de Jager has asked the 20 working parties looking into ways to generate €35bn from spending cuts and tax rises to finish their work a month earlier than planned.
The results of the policy overhaul had been due to be presented in May. However, De Jager says if they are completed earlier, the recommendations can be incorporated into the election campaign.
The Netherlands will elect a new government on June 9.
The working parties were established last year when the government decided to delay making cuts to government spending until 2011. They were charged will looking at all areas of government policy in an effort to get the budget deficit, set to reach 6.1% this year, back under control.
© DutchNews.nl
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Monday: Between 2º and 5º with light snow or sleet. Around zero at night. Similar Tuesday
I wonder if the recently 'retired' ministers (they get 80% of salary for 1 year then 70% for 5 more) would be willing to chip in a few euros towards the 35bn? It wouldn't amount to very much but it would be a gesture towards restoring the taxpayer's faith in the political classes.
By Michael Dawkes | February 24, 2010 11:28 AM