Catherine Keyl believes that the government really needs to intervene much faster to contain inflation. Energy prices are not the only problem, she says. “The strawberries cost 7 euros!”
Europe is groaning under a huge wave of inflation. Energy prices, in particular, are skyrocketing. The cabinet is now working on lowering the excise duty on fuels and VAT on energy to support the purchasing power of the Dutch. this package costs 2.3 billion euros and must take effect on July 1. Much too late, according to Catherine Keyl.
‘It’s going out of control’
Catherine thinks that the whole of the Netherlands is already bankrupt, says the general expert in the talk show HLF8. “Just before we went on the broadcast, I read that the cabinet is thinking about providing compensation for the increase in petrol and gas prices.”
Host Johnny de Mol, who has really never taken a look at his energy bill, says: “It will be time, it is going through the roof.”
‘July 1 is too late’
According to Catherine, July 1 is too late. “Yes, but do you know when? As of July 1! Well, everyone is already bankrupt I think, right? That doesn’t make much sense. And instead of 21 percent VAT, we will then pay 9 percent VAT, but yes, I mean: that much percent of a lot remains a lot.”
Johnny: “Why don’t they do that sooner?”
Catherine: “Yeah, I don’t know. I think they have all kinds of other things they want to spend money on and I think it’s very important for everyone that this happens, because I think the entire economy is going to come to a standstill.”
‘Strawberries also expensive’
According to Catherine, the problem is not only with energy prices. Strawberries are also way too expensive, she says. “I don’t know, but I wanted to buy strawberries this week and such a small container cost 7 euros. Well, say! At the Albert Heijn!”
Johnny: “We have to say something to each other: we have to give something for it.”
Catherine: “Yes, of course, but that’s easier when you have money, isn’t it? But if you don’t already have that much money…”
800 euros
There are really many harrowing cases, according to Catherine. “At one point my niece had taken out a variable gas contract and that’s bad luck, because that was just going up. She went from 150 euros to 800 euros per month! Just a middle house, huh? How are you ever going to bring that up? For 800 euros you have to earn 1,600 euros, right?”
Johnny: “Has been heard, has been heard.”