Dutch employers have given the cabinet 5.4 out of 10 in the end-of-year survey carried out by the Financieele Dagblad among 1,000 company bosses and the self-employed.

Yet at the same time, confidence in ministers is improving, with 30% now saying they have confidence in the government, compared with just 18% in October, the FD research shows.

Some aspects of government policy are particularly welcomed. For example, the plan to limit bankers’ bonuses to 20% of annual salary is supported by 84% of those polled.

Almost 90% of the self employed are pleased that value-added tax on building work has been cut from 21% to 6% as a crisis measure.

Opposition

However, employers are less happy about some of the legislation which the government is pushing through parliament with the help of opposition parties.

Seven out of 10 oppose the plan to introduce quotas for employing workers with a disability. Only 21% back limits to the tax break on private pensions – part of a major reform of the Dutch pension system – and just 13% support reductions in home nursing provision.

Despite the mixed support, a majority of those polled expect the cabinet to see out its term in office.