Despite the fact that the Netherlands is already under-investing in research and development (R&D), Education Minister Bruins did not want to conclude in the Lower House on Thursday that the Netherlands will sink even further due to future budget cuts.
During Bruins’ first debate in the Lower House, in preparation for an upcoming European consultation, the GroenLinks-PvdA party asked the Minister how the Netherlands was going to meet the international R&D standard of three per cent of gross domestic product now that the government is imposing cuts.
The Netherlands is nowhere near meeting that standard, the Rathenau Institute reported just before the summer. With a proposed €1 billion cut in higher education, that does not seem to be getting any better. Bruins acknowledged that cuts are being made, but he did not want to conclude that the Netherlands will definitely not meet the standard. ‘Even with headwinds you have to keep rowing and maybe a bit harder,’ he said.
After the council of ministers on Friday 13 September, the so-called coalition programme will come out and on Tuesday 17 September, on Prinsjesdag, the cabinet will present the budget for 2025.
HOP, Olmo Linthorst
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