Talks on the government’s 2015 spending plans began on Monday and finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem invited three opposition parties to take part.

The government does not have a majority in the upper house of parliament and needs the suppport of other parties to ensure its plans become law. The Liberal democratic party D66 and the small Christian parties SGP and ChristenUnie currently fulfill this role.

The three opposition parties have already joined forces with the cabinet to draw up plans to reform the housing sector and social security.

Demands

RTL news has drawn up a list of new demands which the three opposition parties are likely to put forward, even though Dijsselbloem has made it clear there is little in the way of extra cash.

D66 wants the government to cut more taxes and premiums and set up a special innovation fund using some of the proceeds of natural gas sales.

ChristenUnie would like more spending on day centres for the frail elderly and a tax cut for people on low incomes.

The SGP wants more spending on defence, a tax cut for people on low incomes and a vignette system for foreign cars using Dutch roads.

The Abvakabo civil service trade union said on Monday it hoped the government will have a rethink on its plans to cut €3bn from spending on care services next year. Dutch local councils are not yet ready to take responsibility for long-term care services, the union said.