Dutch cabinet is looking for more cash for security step-up

Dutch ParliamentMinisters are rethinking their budgets in an effort to find more money to pay for the security services and to beef up measures to prevent youngsters becoming jihadis, news agency ANP says on Friday, quoting ‘sources close to the cabinet’.

Until now, prime minister Mark Rutte has said there is no need for extra money but that it will be found if considered necessary.

The proposal which is up for discussion at Friday’s cabinet meeting involves a small increase this year but a structural rise that could top €100m by 2020, ANP says.

Opposition parties have urged the government to increase spending on security issues. They say security service workers, police, mayors and the public prosecution department are concerned about the threat presented by jihadism.

In addition, the services are stretched in the wake of the Paris attacks in early January. Security at some Dutch public buildings and at Jewish institutions has been stepped up. This, too, is putting pressure on manpower, ANP reports.

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