News & analysis
Short reads on what the crises actually cost
Ledger updates, methodology notes and analysis. Every article ties back to a number on this site.
Leaked Budget Day papers: €1.5bn for purchasing power, welfare cuts largely scrapped
The Jetten cabinet reverses most of the planned social security cuts and delays the higher healthcare deductible by a year — paid for partly by a €750m tax increase on higher incomes.
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EU capitals revive the plan to fund Ukraine with frozen Russian assets
The €90bn Ukraine Support Loan is meant to be repaid out of Russian reparations. Until that happens, the guarantee sits on member state budgets — including the Dutch one.
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Europe's gas prices are surging again — and Dutch bills reprice first
Wholesale gas is trading near its highest level in more than three years. Because Dutch contracts pass through quickly, households here feel it months before Germany or Austria do.
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The covid recovery fund gets a repayment schedule: 2028 to 2058
A Cypriot presidency compromise would stretch repayment of the €650bn recovery fund over thirty years, while several capitals openly argue for rolling the debt over instead.
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Brussels wants your savings account to pay for the crisis bill
Von der Leyen's Savings and Investments Union asks member states to steer household deposits into capital markets. The reason is the €750–800bn a year of investment Europe cannot fund from budgets.
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