Less than half (48%) of the Dutch population were sombre about the economic crisis in the second quarter of this year compared to 65% in the first three months, according to the latest report by the government’s social policy think-tank SCP.

Only 17% of those questioned said they were worried about their own financial situation in the second quarter, said the SCP. Pensioners were the most concerned group, 28% of them fear the consequences of the recession.
The survey also indicated that few people are aware of what steps the government are taking to tackle the crisis and have the feeling that the cabinet has no clear policy and is simply pushing problems into the future.
Asked what action they themselves think are necessary, most people said they would cut spending on development aid (80%) and defence (76%).
Some 55% of the population remained confident in the government in the second quarter, down slightly from 59% in the preceding three-month period.