Labour will vote against gov't tax plan if there's no extra money for teachers

The government must allocate extra money to combat the teacher shortage and implement tax reductions for the elderly and people with a low income, according to the PvdA. If that does not happen, the party will vote against the government's tax plan and education budget, PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher said to NOS.

According to Asscher, money is not the problem. The problem is the political decisions on what to do with that money. "We actually find it inexplicable that at a time when there are surplusses, you put people on a low income, the elderly and tenants at a disadvantage. They are now getting an almost invisible increase in purchasing power. But if the economy turns unfavorable, it is precisely these groups that are left out in the cold", he said to NOS.

Giving teachers a helping hand now is an investment in the future", the PvdA leader said. "Because they give quality to society. So it is good for the Netherlands, good for the people in this country. And we know that it is possible now and that, if it is less economical, it may become more difficult."

During the budget debate on Wednesday, Asscher will make a final attempt to adjust the cabinet's plans. Whether that will have any effect, remains to be seen.

GroenLinks leader Jesse Klaver already said that he does not intend to vote against the tax plan, according to the broadcaster. Klaver wants to stop focusing on 'scoreboard politics' and sees many good things in the tax plan. If GroenLinks supports the tax plan, the government has the majority it needs to push it through..