MPs will today discuss the cabinet’s controversial plans to cut spending on the arts and culture and on the public broadcasting sector by €200m a year.

Thousands of people are expected to gather close to the parliamentary complex in protest at the cuts, which mean fewer orchestras, theatre groups and opera companies will get state support.
MPs from the ruling VVD and CDA, together with alliance partner PVV, have already called for a Frisian-language theatre group and southern regional orchestras to be spared the axe.
World service
The Socialist Party wants the government to reverse its planned 70% cut in spending on the world service RNW and says the broadcasting sector’s music centre should remain open.
The party also opposes the decision to put up the fee for membership of a broadcasting organisation from €5.72 to €15. Broadcasters are allocated air time on the basis of how many members they have.
Martin Bosma, media spokesman for the anti-Islam PVV, says in Monday’s Telegraaf that popular music station Radio 2 should play more Dutch language music.