Amsterdam budget: education boosted, subsidies slashed

Amsterdam is investing in education and poverty as agreed by coalition parties D66, VVD and SP. This is evident from the budget for 2015 that was presented by alderman Udo Kock (D66). €32 million extra is available for Amsterdam schools and an extra €20 million for the fight against poverty. The waste levy decreases with 15 million euro. Remarkably no extra money has yet been set aside for structural provision for asylum seekers. The mayor's city council requested that extra money be made available for this early last week, in addition to the 1.7 million already in the coalition agreement. €80 million has been made available to hasten construction and to tackle districts. The economy receives €32 million. €20 million has been reserved for sport accommodations. Money has also been put aside for sustainability. According to the current budget, districts will receive an extra €6 million, which is largely meant to stimulate social neighborhood initiatives and to bring public spaces to order. The additional investments of the city are covered by, among others, the increase in the rates of parking permits by up to 25 percent.Subsidies are also being cut. Kock has drafted new financial rules for the city and districts. "With these rules we want to make the budget more robust." Kock says. One of these financial measures is to lower the internal interest of the municipality.