Government’s 2012 budget leaked, ‘cuts, cuts and help for the poor’

The government’s 2012 spending plans have been leaked on the internet, a day ahead of their official publication.


A spokesman for the finance ministry has confirmed the leaked documents are genuine. They were apparently found by hackers on a part of the government website which was not protected by a password.
The tone of the documents is ‘cuts, cuts and help for the poorest’, says the Volkskrant, in its initial coverage.
‘The current [economic] situation requires clarity and steadfastness,’ the main document states. ‘In addition, the government’s finances are still being overshadowed by considerable uncertainties.’
Nos television said the budget stated the Netherlands is vulnerable because of its open economies.

The main points of the budget so far:

  • Economic growth to reach 1% in 2012
  • Budget deficit to reach 2.9% next year, double earlier forecasts
  • Unemployment to rise slightly
  • State debt to reach 65.3% of total government expenditure
  • Total savings next year €5.8bn, on target to hit €18bn by 2015
  • Everyone will have less money to spend: 1% on average
  • Single salary families with a high income will lose 2.8% in spending power
  • Rent, health and childcare benefits to be cut apart from for very poor families
  • €100m extra available for extra welfare benefits for people on very low incomes
  • Help with stopping smoking, dietary advice, some physiotherapy and antacids will be cut from the basic healthcare package
  • Some local taxes will be scrapped
  • Value added tax to be cut to 6% for flowers, books and newspapers
  • The cost of the eurozone crisis could be ‘considerable’
  • €32.5m for developing a second nuclear power station between now and 2013
  • The ‘salary’ for the royal family remains unchanged at €7.2m
  • €300,000 for new royal family website
  • €500m extra allocated for a new corporate tax break for ‘research and development’
  • Child benefit to be cut by €35 per child
  • €100bn maximum on Dutch contribution to the European emergency fund
  • 17 foreign economic missions scheduled for 2012, including China, India, Turkey, Brazil and Russia

    More to follow

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