Prime minister Dick Schoof has pledged to send documents that back up the cabinet’s claim the Netherlands is facing an “asylum crisis” to parliament later on Thursday, as the bad-tempered debate on the right-wing government’s 2025 budget continued.

Schoof was heard muttering under his breath when pressed by opposition MPs for the documents on Thursday morning, on the second day of debate. Asylum also dominated discussions on Wednesday.

The government hopes that by declaring a crisis it can bypass parliament and implement new rules that will reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to the country. It is key to the right-wing administration’s plan to bring in the “toughest asylum regime ever”.

At the same time, the AD reported that immigration minister Marjolein Faber has been “remarkably invisible” when it comes to solving the overcrowding crisis at the Ter Apel refugee centre, where all new arrivals are processed.

Hundreds of people have been bussed to beds set up in nearby sports halls because there is no-where for them to sleep at the reception centre over the past few days.

Mark Boumans, from the Dutch local authorities association VNG, told the paper he is unaware of any mayors or local officials being phoned by Faber in the hunt for extra beds.

Asked about the situation at Ter Apel on Monday, a spokesman for the minister said “This again shows how great the need to call a crisis”. This year some 45,000 refugees are likely to come to the Netherlands, well down on the government’s earlier forecast of over 70,000.

The government’s decision to increase value added tax on the arts, culture, books, and sports has also come under fire during the debate, with D66 parliamentarian Jan Paternotte pointing out that all four coalition parties have said they are not in favour of the increase, but are still pressing ahead.

According to insiders, the coalition is prepared to talk about exempting sports events and gyms from the tax hike. One option to offset the impact on the treasury would be to bring in a tax on vaping, the AD said.