Slow-progress penalty cancelled, but most budget cuts remain

Over recent weeks, opposition parties negotiated with the coalition over the cuts to education and research. Initially, D66 participated, but in the end, only the CDA, ChistenUnie, SGP, and JA21 remained involved.

The four coalition parties (PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB) were forced to engage in talks as they lack a majority in the Senate, where the budget risked being blocked. The rest of the opposition remains firmly against the budget.

The cancellation of the slow-progress penalty and the easing of cuts for international students in regions with population decline are among the concessions made. However, cuts to scientific research are being upheld almost entirely.

Details of the agreement have yet to emerge, but it appears only partially successful in preserving starter grants for young researchers, with a likely reduction in cuts of 40 million euros.

The final figure stands at 748 million euros, but part of this is funded internally by the OCW ministry. For instance, the student public transport card is expected to cost 75 million euros less. However, this windfall will not be reinvested in education, effectively reducing the total mitigation to 673 million euros.

Additional funding will be drawn from other areas, such as the ministry of Health. Medical specialists, for example, will face higher costs for their continuing education, a move that universities argue also impacts education funding.

The universities association UNL criticised the deal, stating that scientific research remains the biggest loser. Cuts of half a billion euros to research and higher education are still on the table. “This is especially damaging for the future of the Netherlands”, said chair Caspar van den Berg. “Knowledge is our most important resource. Still, it’s good news for our students that the slow-progress penalty has been scrapped.”

The national student union LSVb also welcomed the removal of what it called “that absurd slow-progress penalty” but denounced the remaining cuts. “This won’t be a quiet spring for the cabinet”, predicted chair Abdelkader Karbache, hinting at upcoming strikes.

The four opposition parties defended their decisions. “We’ve made a bad budget less bad”, said Henri Bontebal (CDA). Mirjam Bikker (ChristenUnie) commented: “We support good policy, improve proposals where possible, and this negotiating result is a fine example of that.” Chris Stoffer (SGP) called the budget significantly improved.

Other opposition parties criticised the four for not negotiating harder. Luc Stultiens (GroenLinks-PvdA) called the agreement a ‘historic blunder’.

D66 struck a milder tone. “Good to see that CDA, JA21, CU, and SGP have softened the blow to education somewhat”, tweeted Rob Jetten. “Together, we’ve already scrapped the slow-progress penalty.” However, he stood by his decision to leave the talks, maintaining that the cuts were unacceptable.

Geert Wilders (PVV), on the other hand, expressed relief. “I’m incredibly happy that the cabinet can move forward. It was a tough challenge.”

On Wednesday, university and college staff and students protested against the government’s policies in twelve cities. The demonstrations were organised and supported by WOinActie and trade unions.

At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, several hundred staff and students formed a human chain in front of the main building to defend education and research. In Nijmegen, there was a cycling protest, while in Tilburg, Maastricht, Rotterdam, and Groningen, protesters blew whistles against the cuts.

In Utrecht, professor and activist Ingrid Robeyns called for strikes. “Education is the backbone of a democratic society”, she was quoted by DUB. “These cuts don’t just affect the quality of education and research but also the rule of law itself.”