Dutch cabinet proposes millions for security and AI in bid for tax-plan support

The Dutch cabinet has proposed extra funding for the police, prosecutors and artificial-intelligence plans as part of a tax package it hopes will win opposition support. The proposals include €15 million for security in 2027, rising to €25 million a year from 2031, and €3 million for AI in 2027, rising to €10 million from 2030. The precise use of the money has not been specified.

Finance ministers Eelco Heinen and Eelco Eerenberg said the security spending responds to requests from the Markuszower group and 50PLUS, while the AI funding addresses a request from Volt.

The package would also let people with chronic illnesses continue deducting healthcare costs on their tax returns. The measure is estimated to cost €350 million a year, covered by money already reserved for people with chronic illnesses.

Other proposed measures include postponing a higher VAT rate on cut flowers by a year, with no decision yet on what happens after that, and allocating €10 million annually for environmentally friendly techniques in livestock farming and arable agriculture. The cabinet says these measures are intended to address requests from BBB.

The proposals are part of the tax plan, which does not yet have assured support. The cabinet expects to find out in the coming days whether the measures will persuade opposition parties. It had already proposed spending about €350 million a year to support purchasing power and offset what it calls the “freedom contribution”; Heinen had also said he wanted to fund the box 3 plans by further reducing tax rates in box 2.