Up spending on police, security, opposition MPs tell cabinet

After threatening to torpedo the government’s planned tax reforms, opposition parties have now turned their attention to the justice ministry budget, broadcaster Nos says on Thursday.

The Socialists, Christian Democrats and D66 Liberals want the justice budget to be increased by a further €200m next year to boost spending on the police.

The coalition partners have already agreed to increase the ministry’s 2016 budget by €200m but this does not go far enough, the opposition parties say.

They point out that the police pay rise will have to be paid for from the extra cash, as will other budget shortfalls if, for example, the senate votes down plans to increase court fees.

‘The police and ministry cannot do their jobs and the cabinet needs to take action,’ CDA leader Sybrand Buma told the broadcaster.

Tax reforms

The Telegraaf says MPs want some of the €500m earmarked to pay for income tax cuts to go to the justice ministry, if the senate votes against the reforms next month.

The paper says a majority of MPs are prepared to put some of the cash into boosting security, including the ruling VVD. ‘Security is our main priority, alongside reducing state debt,’ VVD parliamentary party leader Halbe Zijlstra is quoted as saying.