Opposition parties have called for an extra €14 million to be invested in the arts, partly reversing the budget cuts imposed by the current government.

The Socialist Party and the progressive liberal D66 group say the money should go to groups that are supported by the arts council or funding body for the performing arts but missed out on funding because of cutbacks.

Last year the two parties backed an extra €10 million funding package by the government to offset the impact of austerity measures during the recession. Prime minister Mark Rutte’s first cabinet, which was in office between 2010 and 2012, cut €200 million from the culture budget and a further €150 million in support from local and provincial government.

The opposition groups say the measure can be funded by diverting cash earmarked for compensating energy-intensive businesses and equipment handed out by the education ministry. They say organisations that could benefit include the Metropole Orkest, the Museum for Literature and the Maas Theater.