Security, justice cutbacks "not justified": VVD MP

Dutch security and justice minister Ivo Opstelten and state secretary Fred Teeven no longer need to make any more budget cuts for security, despite the holes in their budget. Cabinet partners the VVD and the PvdA accept that the justice ministry now spends more money than budgeted. "There are no more cuts on justice," said PvdA parliamentarian Jeroen Recourt. "The screws have been tightened too far. Prisons have already been closed, justice and the public prosecutor deliver, I see no more room." VVD parliamentarian Ard van der Steur agreed, saying: "I do not know where more money can be found. New cuts are not justified. In the future money should rather be added than taken away." Security was an afterthought in the formation of the current cabinet, with the economy and employment being the pressing themes. There had been considerable cutbacks on justice. But that is now totally reversed. Because of the increasing threat of jihadists, even leftist parties agree that more money should go to security.