Government lacks vision, system is out-of-date: mayor

2 days, 9 hours ago

Dutch cities are losing green spaces as urbanization speeds up

NL Times

Public green spaces in major Dutch cities are disappearing at an alarming rate, despite efforts to promote urban greenery. “Cities want to add green spaces, and residents are eager to help,” Berends explained. “It’s a great addition to a city that desperately needs more green spaces.” Municipalities are ultimately responsible for urban greening policies. We need to raise awareness among …

Space Dutch Cities Green Spaces Greenery Spaces Green Space

5 days, 9 hours ago

Dutch investments shrink 0.4% in January amid policy changes and market uncertainty

NL Times

Investments in tangible fixed assets in the Netherlands declined by 0.4 percent in January 2025 compared to the same month a year earlier, according to new data from Statistics Netherlands. The decrease in road transport investments reportedly coincided with tax changes introduced on Jan. 1, 2025, as well as new regulations on environmental zones in several cities. In December 2024, …

Netherlands Investment Investments Cbs

1 week, 1 day ago

Dutch travellers satisfied with public transport; Budget cuts risking that

NL Times

Dutch public transport users are said to have been very satisfied with the country’s public transport systems in 2024. OV-NL the association for public transport companies in the Netherlands, are pleased with the results of the survey but they are also wondering how long these positive reviews will last considering the Cabinet’s plans to cut 335 million euros from the …

Transport Public Transport Public Cuts Buses

1 week, 4 days ago

More work and tech, less low-paid labour: labour shortage summit

Dutch News

The Netherlands needs to lose its addiction to sectors depending on low-paid labour and stimulate people in the rest of the economy to work more hours, according to a summit on tackling the labour shortage. “The labour shortage is becoming a fact of life,” said jobs minister Eddy van Hijum. If want to keep making things we don’t just need …

Education Netherlands Labour Work Shortage Ing Van Hijum

2 weeks, 1 day ago

Amsterdam alderman Reinier van Dantzig stepping down after MS diagnosis

NL Times

Amsterdam Alderman Reinier van Dantzig is quitting his position immediately. After being diagnosed with MS, he said that he does not feel fit enough to “fill the position of alderman as I deem necessary,” he wrote to the city council on Tuesday. “To hopefully be able to once again contribute to Amsterdam or society at some stage.” As a bar …

Amsterdam City Van Alderman Van Dantzig Ms Diagnosis Dantzig

2 weeks, 1 day ago

Many Dutch municipalities not preparing for looming budget cuts in 2026

NL Times

Dutch municipalities are increasing spending in 2025 despite looming budget cuts that will take effect in 2026, with many failing to set aside financial buffers. In 2023, municipalities spent 75.1 billion euros, while revenues totaled 76.7 billion euros, leaving a 1.6 billion euro surplus. Municipalities will also allocate 13.4 billion euros for income support and employment programs, up from 12.5 …

Financial Budget Billion Euros Municipal Municipalities Bdo

2 weeks, 3 days ago

Dutch climate plan remains largely unchanged despite criticism from Council of State

NL Times

The Dutch government’s climate plan, spearheaded by Climate Minister Sophie Hermans, remains largely unchanged despite sharp criticism from the Raad van State. A notable addition to the plan is the government’s endorsement of carbon removal as a means to combat climate change. Among the carbon removal methods cited by Hermans are air filtration systems, sustainable concrete that incorporates carbon as …

Carbon Carbon Removal Hermans Unchanged Despite

2 weeks, 5 days ago

Rabobank: Amsterdam’s economic growth fails to benefit residents

NL Times

The business sector is not sufficiently engaged in solving societal problems, and the government is not effectively involving entrepreneurs in addressing these challenges, according to a new Rabobank report. “There is too little attention for the tech sector, or it is perceived too negatively,” said Erik Versnel, director of Rabobank Amsterdam. “Yet tech can be a massive engine for the …

Healthcare Social Issues Amsterdam Social Housing Netherlands Tech

4 weeks ago

Cost of living crisis in NL: MPs line up with their own plans

Dutch News

Dutch MPs are on Tuesday afternoon debating what can be done to cut the cost of living in the Netherlands, with almost every party agreeing that the government needs to take action to help the middle class. “The most important thing we are proposing is making sure people get more take-home pay,” GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans said. “We want to …

Netherlands Tax Party Work Cost Mps Line

1 month ago

Geopolitical uncertainty overshadows Dutch growth forecast

Dutch News

The Dutch economy is set for moderate growth of 1.9% this year and 1.5% in 2026, although geopolitical unrest is creating uncertainty, the government’s macroeconomic think tank CPB said in its latest forecast. The agency, whose projections will play a key role in the government’s spring financial discussions, expects spending power to grow this year and next, and poverty to …

Cpb Heinen

1 month, 1 week ago

Moderate growth expected in the Dutch economy despite geopolitical unrest

NL Times

The Dutch economy will likely experience moderate growth in the coming years despite the geopolitical insecurity in the world. This number will also likely grow by 0.6 percent this year and 1.1 percent next year. In addition, the CPB also calculated that the government's deficit is rising slower than expected. The current forecast for this year shows a deficit equal …

Dutch Increase Cpb Growth Expected

1 month, 1 week ago

Dutch gov't taking steady action to discourage expats from coming to Netherlands

NL Times

The Dutch government is steadily and relatively quietly taking action to reduce labor- and knowledge migration. So far, Van Hijum has given the Labor Inspectorate greater mandate to tackle employers abusing expat and migrant worker regulations, he is investigating the meat sector where many migrant workers work, and he is working on a bill to ban rogue employment agencies from …

Expats Netherlands Ter Weel

1 month, 1 week ago

Dutch gov't taking "Netherlands first" approach with development aid

NL Times

The Dutch government will henceforth take a Netherlands-first approach with development aid, Minister Reinette Klever for Foreign Trade and Development Aid announced during a visit to Tunisia. “We are going to look at things from a different perspective.” The Schoof I Cabinet’s coalition agreement includes plans to cut development aid budgets by 500 million euros next year, and then by …

Development Dutch Netherlands Aid Tunisia Klever Development Aid

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Dutch gov't "ambitious" about higher NATO standard, hopeful about peace in Ukraine

NL Times

The Cabinet is looking at a higher NATO standard with an “ambitious attitude,” Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a parliamentary debate on the shifting rations now that Donald Trump is the president of the United States. Wilders wants the Cabinet to “distribute the ambitions equally.” Schoof said he had not promised anything, but did point out that there is …

Europe Defense Ukraine Russia Netherlands Money Minister

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Local authority taxes rise to head off government spending cuts

Dutch News

The majority of the Netherlands’ 342 local authorities are increasing property taxes this year, in an effort to head off the impact of a €2.4 billion cut in central government spending. Adding in increased charges for waste disposal and water, the average household will pay just over €1,000 in local council taxes this year, a rise of 5.5% on 2024. …

Tax Local Veh

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Cutting municipal budgets will increase inequality, deteriorate trust in gov't: SCP

NL Times

The national government’s cuts to municipal budgets will increase inequality and further deteriorate the already low trust in politics, the Netherlands Institute for Social Research said in its Social and Cultural Developments Report. “Our advice is: if you do not want to increase inequality, do not cut back on municipalities,” SCP researcher Roel Willems said to NOS. “Make sure that …

Municipal Scp Willems Deteriorate Trust

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Dutch economy grow 0.9% last year, jobless rate stable at 3.7%

Dutch News

The Dutch economy grew by 0.4% in the final three months of last year, bringing full-year growth to 0.9%, national statistics agency CBS reported on Friday. The Dutch economy expanded more in the fourth quarter than its key trading partners and the EU as a whole, where growth averaged 0.1%. “Dutch Q4 economic growth is mainly due to foreign trade …

Dutch Dutch Economy Cbs

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Government consumption drove the Dutch economy's 0.9% growth in 2024

NL Times

The Dutch economy grew by 0.9 percent in 2024, following a year of almost no growth in 2023, Statistics Netherlands reported based on the available figures. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the gross domestic product increased by 0.4 percent compared to the third quarter and 1.8 percent compared to Q4 of 2023. The exports of goods and services increased …

Dutch Consumption Quarter Cbs Government Consumption

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Netherlands unlikely to achieve plan for new nuclear power plant by 2035

NL Times

It is very unlikely that the Netherlands will have a new nuclear power plant built and operational in 2035, Climate Minister Sophie Hermans wrote in a letter to parliament. “It no longer seems realistic to have the first plant operational in 2035,” she said, speaking of a “complex process,” NOS reports. Nevertheless, the previous Rutte IV Cabinet proposed to have …

Nuclear Nuclear Power Plan Plant

1 month, 4 weeks ago

Belgium has a new prime minister, one who long tried to gut the nation and seek regional autonomy

The Independent

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Belgium has a new prime minister whose political purpose was long …

Nation Westminster Email View Belgium Flemish Flanders Coalition Talks

2 months ago

PvdA presses ahead with "become an Amsterdammer" plan

Dutch News

Companies in Amsterdam employing large numbers of international workers will have to do more to ensure their staff become “Amsterdammers” by offering them language, culture, and history lessons, if a motion drawn up by the city’s PvdA party is backed by councillors. The motion also suggests that big companies with large international workforces could invest in social housing as a …

International Expats Dutch Netherlands City Heinhuis International Workers

2 months ago

Dutch researchers warn of declining productivity threat

NL Times

The Netherlands faces significant economic challenges as labor productivity growth continues to stagnate, according to a new report from TNO, the Dutch research and innovation organization. "The average worker will increasingly feel the strain of unfilled rosters and labor shortages," said TNO researcher Thijmen van Bree. "Employers still place too much emphasis on diplomas, which are earned at the end …

Growth Dutch Netherlands Van Bree Productivity Growth Tno

2 months, 1 week ago

Dutch consumers more concerned about economy, own finances

Dutch News

Dutch consumer confidence has fallen for the fourth month in row, and people are more pessimistic about the economy as well as their own financial situation, national statistics agency CBS said on Thursday. Consumers are, however, not as negative as in the second half of 2022, when the confidence index reached a new low of -60 as energy bills soared …

Prices Nibud

2 months, 1 week ago

Most local councils are short of money, deficit hits €5.2bn

Dutch News

Three-quarters of the Netherlands’ 342 local councils are facing financial difficulties, with many delaying decisions in the hope of additional government funding, according to research by accountants group BDO. In total, councils with a deficit are €5.2 billion short of what they need for the coming years, BDO said. Local elections are also set to take place early next year, …

Councils Bdo

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Undocumented migrant workers coming to Netherlands from further abroad

NL Times

The number of people working in the Netherlands without a permit is still increasing and they are increasingly coming from further away, the Labor Inspectorate told NOS. “You can actually see that the number of migrant workers is starting to run out,” Marijke Kaptein of the Inspectorate told NOS. Then you get all kinds of models to bring people from …

Netherlands Migrant Workers Migrant Inspectorate Kaptein Workers Coming Cheap Labor

2 months, 3 weeks ago

This New Year, should we resolve to be more like the Dutch?

Dutch News

New year, new you – or so the saying goes. Our regular columnist Molly Quell wonders why the Dutch don’t seem to set many New Year’s Resolutions. “People Are Sharing Their Frugal New Year’s Resolutions For 2025, And My Wallet And My Brain Really Needed This” says the Buzzfeed headline. NPR, American public radio, went with: “New Year’s resolution ideas: …

Dutch New Year Set Your Life Resolutions

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Dutch mayors angered by national politicians stirring up unrest and division

NL Times

Many mayors in the Netherlands have been using their New Year's speeches to address divisive rhetoric employed by politicians working at the national level in The Hague. "I admit, sometimes you feel discouraged," said Erik Boog, the mayor of Diemen. Almere Mayor Hein van der Loo said he is sometimes ashamed of how "of the way national politicians and committee …

National Mayor Cabinet Hague Rutte Pvv National Politicians

2 months, 3 weeks ago

National debt drops to lowest level in 70 years, says CBS

Dutch News

The national debt has fallen to its lowest level in 70 years when measured against GDP, according to figures published by the national statistics agency CBS at the end of 2024. The Dutch national debt fell to 42.2%, continuing a decade-long downward trend since it peaked at 68% at the start of 2015, despite a brief upturn at the start …

Cbs National Debt Omtzigt

3 months ago

Major challenges ahead for right-wing Dutch government

Dutch News

The right-wing Dutch cabinet – a combination of the far-right PVV, pro-countryside BBB, liberal VVD, and conservative NSC – made it to 2025, something which many commentators had doubted would happen. Here’s a summary: “Spreading” law The legislation, which aims to ensure all 342 Dutch local authorities provide accommodation for their fair share of refugees, is at the top of …

Dutch Legislation Pvv Vvd

3 months ago

Dutch tax system needs major overhaul, says central bank chief

Dutch News

The Dutch tax system needs a major overhaul and that means lower taxes on wages and the end of mortgage tax relief, central bank chief Klaas Knot has said in an interview with the Volkskrant. “Over the years so many exceptions have been made for certain groups that I have to ask myself if our tax system still serves the …

Mortgage Knot Central Bank Chief Dutch Tax Mortgage Tax Relief Relief Central

3 months ago

"The Netherlands first" but just 10% of the Dutch back a Nexit

Dutch News

Some 63% of people in the Netherlands want the government to focus more on domestic problems rather international issues, a survey by socio-cultural think-tank SCP has shown. “There is a broad understanding that the Netherlands with its open economy and small defense capability should work together with other countries,” the SCP said. “The general feeling is that successive cabinets have …

Netherlands European Den Ridder

3 months ago

Majority of Dutch people want government to focus more on domestic issues, survey finds

NL Times

A majority of Dutch citizens believe the government should prioritize domestic issues over international concerns, according to a new study by the Social and Cultural Planning Office. However, this sentiment does not equate to a desire for less international cooperation, as the majority still support the Netherlands’ membership in the European Union, and only 10 percent favor a potential "Nexit." …

International Dutch Netherlands International Collaboration Domestic European Scp

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Dutch healthcare system expected to face a shortage of 266,000 workers by 2035

NL Times

The shortage of healthcare workers in the Netherlands is set to grow at an alarming rate in the coming years, with projections indicating a deficit of 266,000 workers by 2035. The largest shortages are expected in nursing and care homes, with the most significant gaps in staffing found among healthcare assistants, caregivers with vocational training, nurses with MBO and HBO …

Healthcare Workers Healthcare Workers Shortage

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Dutch economic growth will pick up in coming years, inflation to stay higher than EU

NL Times

Economic growth in the Netherlands will pick up in the coming years growing 0.9 percent this year and 1.5 percent each in 2025 and 2026, despite an increasing threat from geopolitical uncertainty. The growth is mainly driven by household consumption and government spending, but the DNB also expects world trade to pick up and exports to contribute more to economic …

Growth Dutch Netherlands Inflation Economic Growth Trade War Dnb

3 months, 3 weeks ago

Consumer spending and government investments drive Dutch economic growth

NL Times

Dutch consumers are expected to increase spending over the next two years, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth, according to economists at Rabobank. Economists attribute this to an anticipated rise in consumer spending, which accounts for over 40 percent of the economy, and increased government investments in healthcare, defense, and green energy transitions. This growth is fueled by an …

Growth Consumer Dutch Consumer Spending 2025 Increase Expected

3 months, 4 weeks ago

Dutch population must stay below 20 million, ministers say

Dutch News

The right-wing Dutch government is looking at drawing up specific targets to limit immigration and ensure the population of the Netherlands remains below 20 million by 2050. Immigration minister Marjolein Faber and social affairs minister Eddy van Hijum told MPs in a briefing on Tuesday that the cabinet was embracing a report by the government’s demographic development commission which recommends …

Population Netherlands Migration

4 months ago

Dutch economy should grow 1.5% next year, but inflation will remain high, says ABN Amro

NL Times

The Dutch economy will continue to grow in the next two years although the pace of this will slow slightly. American import duties will slow the growth somewhat in the second half of next year. In 2025, growth will reach 1.5 percent, after which this will slow down due to the introduction of American import duties. But historically high wage …

Dutch Netherlands Grow Cpb Amro Abn

4 months ago

Netherlands fails EU budget test, only country to miss target

Dutch News

The Dutch government’s 2025 spending plans have fallen short of European Commission guidelines, making the Netherlands the only EU member state to fail the budget test so far. “The Netherlands is assessed to be not in line with the recommendation, as the net expenditure is projected above the ceilings,” the Commission said in its autumn budget statement on Tuesday. While …

Dutch Netherlands Commission Miss European Budget Deficit

4 months, 1 week ago

The Netherlands set to exceed European spending guidelines; only country to do so

NL Times

The Dutch government’s expenditure exceeds the guidelines of the new European budget rules. “The Netherlands is assessed to be not in line with the recommendation, as the net expenditure is projected above the ceilings,” the European Commissioner for Economy, Paulo Gentiloni, said on Wednesday. When Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s Cabinet released their first-ever budget plan, it was already clear that …

Netherlands Budget Commission Line European Net

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Dutch gov't backs off: No VAT hike on books, culture, sports

NL Times

The VAT increase on theaters, museums, books, and sports in 2026 is scrapped, Minister Eelco Heinen of Finance conceded during a parliamentary debate on the government’s Tax Plan on Thursday, NOS reports. Increasing the VAT rate for museums, books, theaters, and sports from 9 percent to 21 percent in 2026 is one part of the Tax Plan. On Thursday, opposition …

Dutch Tax Opposition Plan Vat Opposition Parties Heinen

5 months, 2 weeks ago

Portugal seeks to become a low-tax haven for people aged under 35 – including foreign workers

The Independent

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The centre-right government of Luís Montenegro plans to scrap …

Tax Young Young People Portuguese Montenegro

6 months, 2 weeks ago

The new hard-right Dutch coalition pledges stricter limits on asylum

LA Times

Dutch King Willem-Alexander, with Queen Maxima at his side, outlines the new government’s policy plans and budget for the coming year in The Hague on Tuesday. The new hard-right Dutch government pledged Tuesday to launch stricter policies to hold back or kick out migrants who don’t qualify for asylum, as the king laid out the administration’s plans in a speech …

Dutch Coalition Party Asylum Speech Plans King

7 months ago

Dutch business climate has worsened since 2018: PwC

Dutch News

The business climate in the Netherlands has been deteriorating since 2018, due both to physical restrictions and volatile legislation which is making it difficult to plan long-term investments, according to a report by consultancy PwC. The agency has drawn up a “heat map” based on 60 different indicators across six categories and concludes that while other countries are all facing …

Netherlands Pwc

7 months ago

Dutch business climate has worsened since 2018: PwC

Dutch News

The business climate in the Netherlands has been deteriorating since 2018, due both to physical restrictions and volatile legislation which is making it difficult to plan long-term investments, according to a report by consultancy PwC. The agency has drawn up a “heat map” based on 60 different indicators across six categories and concludes that while other countries are all facing …

Netherlands Pwc

7 months ago

Switch away from gas is good, but who picks up the bill?

Dutch News

A majority of the Dutch back the switch to more sustainable forms of energy, but support shrinks if the process is expensive and the government does not pick up the bill, according to research by the environmental assessment agency PBL. A survey of 2,000 people found that 88% would like the Netherlands to be less reliant on other countries for …

Pbl

7 months ago

Switch away from gas is good, but who picks up the bill?

Dutch News

A majority of the Dutch back the switch to more sustainable forms of energy, but support shrinks if the process is expensive and the government does not pick up the bill, according to research by the environmental assessment agency PBL. A survey of 2,000 people found that 88% would like the Netherlands to be less reliant on other countries for …

Pbl

7 months, 2 weeks ago

Economists think the Dutch economy will avoid a recession

NL Times

The Dutch economy will most likely avoid a recession. But this time, experts consulted by the financial news agency Bloomberg are counting on an average increase of 0.2 percent compared to the previous period. ABN Amro economist Aggie van Huisseling is expecting 0.2 percent growth. "It is also because the unemployment rate is so low," said Van Huisseling. Van Huisseling …

Dutch Van Huisseling

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Experts warn new EU deal needed with ‘Brexit uncertainty’ still damaging confidence in UK economy

The Independent

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy …

Growth Brexit Tax Labour Investment Economic Public

8 months ago

Randstad Nederland is still concerned about pressure on the Dutch labor market

NL Times

Randstad Nederland CEO Jeroen Tiel is "very intrigued" about the government program that the new Cabinet is expected to present in September because he is concerned about the continuous struggle of the Dutch labor market. "It may even become a little bit harder for employers to find staff," Tiel said. Given that the Coalition agreement refers to the "most comprehensive …

Tiel Dutch Labor Nederland Randstad Nederland

8 months, 4 weeks ago

New Dutch leader pledges to cut immigration as the opposition vows to root out racists in cabinet

Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof gave his first speech to parliament on Wednesday, pledging that he will work hard at one of his new goverment’s main aims: reducing immigration. The four parties in the coalition are Wilders’ Party for Freedom, Rutte’s center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, the populist Farmer Citizen Movement and the centrist …

Dutch Party Schoof

Government lacks vision, system is out-of-date: mayor

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Government lacks vision, system is out-of-date: mayor

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