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Working groups appointed for broad-based reviews
News item | 29-09-2009
The government has appointed the working groups that will be responsible for conducting broad-based reviews of 20 policy themes, which will be analysed with a view to developing possible alternatives.
The working groups must each devise at least one policy alternative that will lead to savings of 20%. These alternatives can potentially cut costs by 35 billion euros.
These principles were outlined in a letter to parliament by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Deputy Prime Ministers Wouter Bos and André Rouvoet.
This review process, which is provided for in the current Budget Memorandum, is part of the government's policy to combat the financial and economic crisis.
Fundamental choices
The government has concluded that certain fundamental choices are unavoidable if the quality and accessibility of public services are to be maintained. 'A gradualist approach will not work this time.' The purpose of this review process is to ensure that the preparations leading up to these choices are made in a thorough and well-considered manner.
Working groups
The working groups will be headed by senior civil servants, both current and former, and will consist of a mix of external experts and civil servants.
The working groups will not be bound by existing legislation, ministerial remits, ministerial policy, the coalition agreement or any other government agreements. Their mandate is to provide information and analyses that will benefit a balanced political decision-making process.
The working groups will begin addressing themselves to this task as soon as possible. Their reports are expected to be complete by the start of the second quarter of 2010. The final decision over their recommendations rests with the government and parliament.