The cabinet has been saying for months that it is impossible to do anything about people’s purchasing power this year. But when Prime Minister Mark Rutte was asked on Friday at his weekly press conference whether he can persevere in this, he said it is impossible “to do nothing this year”, given the ever-rising prices for energy and groceries.
“But we are not yet saying what we will or will not do. That comes with Prince’s Day.”
He seemed to indicate that there will be some financial relief for the lower and middle incomes on Budget Day. When questioned further about this, he declined to comment, but he didn’t retract his words completely either. “On Prinsjesdag we come out with something before 22 or not and in any case our plans for 23.”
Many people are at risk of being cut off from electricity and gas because they can no longer pay their bills. “We want to do everything we can to prevent people from being shut down,” Rutte said. “Intensive talks are underway with energy companies about this,” he said.
Prices are also rising in many other areas. “I understand that people are concerned,” Rutte said, but he was not too reassured to reassure them already by saying something about possible measures that could alleviate the financial distress this year.
He did appeal to people who are in financial difficulties or are at risk of getting into financial difficulties, especially those with lower incomes, to appeal through their municipality to existing schemes such as special assistance, but also to the energy allowance of 1,300 euros for people with a disability. low income. Not everyone who is entitled to this has applied for this allowance. “The priority now is to reach everyone who is entitled to it.”