The coalition government will not go back on international pledges to make sure at least 0.7% of the nation’s income is spent on development aid, junior aid minister Ben Knapen confirmed to parliament on Thursday.

MPs had asked the minister for clarity during a debate on the foreign affairs ministry budget.
Knapen quoted prime minister Mark Rutte as saying the 0.7% was cabinet policy and would remain so for the entire cabinet period, the Telegraaf said.
More cuts
Last week, Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam PVV, said his party would not agree to any more spending cuts, unless €4bn was slashed from the aid budget.
The Netherlands used to spend 0.8% of GDP on development aid but that was reduced by the current coalition.
The PVV supports the minority government on economic policy and has already agreed to back €18bn in cuts over the next few years. However, it is becoming increasingly likely that extra cuts will become necessary.
Earlier stories
Fewer countries to benefit from aid budget