The ruling coalition is ready to invite opposition parties to share their views on its tax reform plans, Dutch media report on Monday afternoon.

Last week, junior finance minister Eric Wiebes said the two parties had reached agreement about the main changes to be made and that talks with other parties would start before the summer.

The coalition needs to win the support of at least two opposition parties to ensure the new system is approved in the upper house of parliament where it does not have a majority.

Prime minister Mark Rutte has rejected calls for the agreement to be made public, saying this would be damaging to the discussion process.

Nothing has yet been leaked about the contents, but it is known that the aim is to simplify the system of taxes and benefits and cut the cost of employing staff. There is also widespread support for giving greater tax-raising powers to local councils.

The first talks are scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening. So far, the big opposition parties have said they are willing to talk, but all say the broad outline of the plan must be made public, RTL news reports.