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Towards new balances in society

News item | 20-09-2005

The government will continue to carefully implement the reforms it has set in motion. In addition, there is scope for making investment in knowledge and for introducing tax cuts and measures to increase spending power.

This is what prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende had to say at the Budget Day ('Prinsjesdag') press conference, when he outlined the government's objectives for the second half of its term.

The government will concentrate on delivering the measures it has introduced in the past two years, so that the reforms will make a difference to people's lives. In that way, the government believes that society will strike new balances.

Balkenende described 2005 as a 'bittersweet' year. Prospects for 2006 are considerably better, although oil prices are an unpredictable factor.

The objective of the 2006 budget is to strike a new balance between solid government finances, a stronger economic structure and support for people's spending power. There is scope for extra investment in knowledge, education, the environment and infrastructure (a total of €2.3 billion over several consecutive years), and for tax cuts, and to boost people's spending power (a total of €2.5 billion). Families with children will receive special attention.

The government's aims for 2006 are as follows.

More people in work

  • People will be rewarded for working longer.
  • The social security system will be organised in such a way as to encourage people to work.
  • The government plans to make sizeable investments in knowledge and education (€1 billion).
  • It will be easier to combine work with care tasks thanks to better childcare facilities and the life-course savings scheme. 

More safety

  • Cooperation between the police, the criminal justice authorities and the security services will be stepped up.
  • The police performance agreements will be continued.
  • The government will take a tougher approach to violence and anti-social behaviour.
  • There will be more cells for habitual offenders. 

Fewer rules, and better quality public services

  • Over the next two years, the government will cut the administrative burden for the business sector by €4 billion.
  • Education and healthcare professionals will be given more scope to do their work as they see fit.
  • The quality of teacher training courses will be improved.
  • The government will invest more money in youth care services and nursing homes. 

More respect for each other

  • A new civic integration system, in which rights and duties are carefully balanced, will be launched on 1 January.
  • Tougher measures will be taken against discrimination and violence.
  • The government will stimulate dialogue between social and religious groups.
  • Sport will be given a more prominent role as a binding factor in our society. 

More information

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