Scouting Nederland saves Dutch society €160m every year, according to research carried out by the Steward Redqueen agency.

The figure is contained in a report presented to the socio-cultural policy unit SCP on Tuesday.

The saving comes from the efforts of the 25,000 volunteers and the positive effect of scouting on its 87,000 members.

SCP director Kim Putters said at the press conference: ‘Scouting teaches you responsibility and self-reliance. That has been evident in practice for a long time. Now the evidence is on paper.’

Each week, 100,000 girls and boys attend scouting meetings, overseen by 25,000 volunteers. ‘The participation society has been in full swing with us for years,’ scouting director Jan Koenhoorn said.