Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra announced on Monday that the government intends to end the most important programs introduced in 2020 to support companies in the pandemic.
As of October 1, programs for wage subsidies (NOW), fixed costs (TVL) and for small businesses (Tozo and TONK) will be suspended. In 2020, they cost the Dutch taxpayer EUR 80 billion.
– The economy is in good shape and unemployment is low. Continued support would hinder the economic recovery, Hoekstra said.
Clubs still closed
The government is also working on a support mechanism for nightclubs and discos, which are still closed.
The finance minister informed that on October 1 the possibility for entrepreneurs to apply for tax deferral will end. 369 thousand took advantage of this opportunity. companies. A large part has already been paid off, but there is still more than € 19 billion of tax debt with 270,000. entrepreneurs.
End of restrictions in November
In half of August the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, announcedthat from November 1, all restrictions that were introduced due to the threat of coronavirus will be lifted. “I would like to point out that this will only be possible if infections continue to decline and the number of vaccinated people increases,” Rutte said, also announcing that the 1.5-meter distance requirement would no longer apply from 20 September.
At the same time, from August 30, higher and vocational education will be reopened. However, a maximum of 75 people will be allowed in the lecture hall, and the use of masks in the corridors will still be obligatory.
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