People visit the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Feb. 18, 2022. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)
Value added tax on energy will be reduced from 21 percent to 9 percent, while excise duty on petrol and diesel will be reduced by 21 percent.
THE HAGUE, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch government announced a 2.8 billion euro (about 3.05 billion U.S. dollars) package of aid measures on Friday to counter rising energy prices and persistent inflation.
Social Affairs and Employment Minister Karien van Gennip said that a one-off energy allowance for low-income families would be increased from 200 euros to 800 euros.
In addition, value added tax on energy will be reduced from 21 percent to 9 percent, while excise duty on petrol and diesel will be reduced by 21 percent.
People walk on a street with Christmas decorations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Dec. 18, 2021. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)
In a letter to the parliament, the minister said the government is taking the measures to help people with low and middle incomes to cope with rising energy prices and persistent inflation.
Inflation could rise sharply to 5.2 percent this year, mainly due to higher energy prices. Meanwhile, purchasing power is expected to fall by 2.7 percent on average, she said. (One euro = 1.09 U.S. dollars)
A restaurant is open for guests in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Jan. 26, 2022. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)■
