New Dutch coalition partners put finishing touches to plans

The finishing touches are now being put to the new government’s plans and the proposals are being ‘translated’ into ‘readable texts’, the Volkskrant said on Thursday.

Agreement has now been reached on stimulating small firms to take on staff, which involves reducing the amount of money small companies have to pay sick workers, the Volkskrant said.

The new cabinet also plans to boost spending on education, defence, the police and sustainability. News has already leaked that extra spending on primary schools will reach €770m in total.

The new cabinet also plans to shake up the income tax system and reduce the current system of four tax bands to two. The lower rate of value added tax, currently 6%, may go up. Energy taxes may also increase and the road haulage sector will face some form of road pricing.

The paper says the four party leaders – Mark Rutte (VVD), Alexander Pechtold (D66), Sybrand Buma (CDA) and Gert-Jan Segers (ChristenUnie) are expected to give a press conference about their ambitions on Tuesday.

After that, parliament will debate the plans and then work can begin on finalising the ministers. The new cabinet is likely to have 16 full members of the cabinet, plus a number of junior ministers.

The new cabinet is likely to be presented to the public in the week of October 23.

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