Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Bakery bread prices not rising immediately despite rising grain costs
Industry organizations expect that bread prices at bakeries will not rise immediately despite increasing grain prices. This delay is due to long-term contracts between bakeries and suppliers, which bu...
Macron announces ‘defensive’ mission to reopen strait
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a purely defensive mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and escort cargo vessels once the most intense phase of the Middle East conflict concludes. The ann...
Motorists with jerrycans at the pump: extra crowds expected
Motorists are flocking to gas stations to fill up their cars and jerrycans as fuel prices rise rapidly following the conflict in the Middle East. Station owners have observed significantly higher dema...
South Holland approves plans for 285,000 homes by 2036
The province of Zuid-Holland has approved plans for the construction of approximately 285,000 homes by 2036. While 2,333 projects were accepted for meeting environmental regulations, thirteen plans we...
Almost 2.40 euros a liter: motorists hit hard at the pump
Dutch motorists are facing fuel prices nearing 2.40 euros per liter due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Market experts explain that the price surge is a direct result of the blockage of th...
Sharp price increases at the pump again Tuesday: ‘First major effects becoming visible’
Motorists in the Netherlands will face significant fuel price increases on Tuesday as global oil prices rise above $100 per barrel due to the conflict in the Middle East. Fuel expert Derk Foolen from ...
Thousands of homes, no North/South line: the results of Haarlemmermeer's coalition plans
The political coalition in Haarlemmermeer has largely fulfilled its promises from four years ago, including the construction of 3,000 new homes and improvements to local parking. However, despite thes...
Dutch officials targeted by Russian attack on Signal and WhatsApp
The Dutch intelligence services AIVD and MIVD have warned that Russian hackers are targeting the Signal and WhatsApp accounts of high-ranking individuals, including Dutch government employees. These c...
Why female freelancers earn more than male self-employed workers
Female freelancers in the Netherlands have reached a milestone by earning a higher average hourly wage than their male counterparts. While the gender pay gap persists in traditional employment, it is ...
Hans Spekman new chairman of FNV trade union
Former PvdA party chairman Hans Spekman has been appointed as the new chairman of the Dutch trade union FNV. The move is intended to restore stability within the organization following an internal con...
Marianne (61) lived in a Bloemendaal villa but was left destitute after husband’s death: ’How did I let it get this far?’
After the sudden death of her husband, 61-year-old Marianne Heemskerk discovered their fortune had vanished, leaving her penniless despite their previously wealthy lifestyle. She has since dedicated h...
Companies fear more pressure on permanent staff as temporary workers are already impossible to find
Dutch companies are concerned about increasing pressure on permanent staff as stricter flexible work regulations approach and a shortage of flex workers persists. Only 6% of self-employed individuals ...
Number of people using food banks rises
The number of people using food banks in the Netherlands increased last year, according to Voedselbanken Nederland. The organization attributes this rise to better awareness of their services and grow...
Dutch Central Bank aims to make payment systems resilient: 'Cash must remain available'
De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) aims to enhance the resilience and independence of the Dutch payment system in the coming years. The central bank is calling for increased availability of cash and ATMs, al...
Dutch hunt for cheap petrol across the border: ‘They use our driveway as if it’s theirs’
Dutch drivers are increasingly crossing the border into Belgium to seek cheaper fuel, causing significant traffic congestion in border villages like Essen and Meerle. Local residents have raised conce...
European gas prices jump another 30% amid ongoing Iran war
European gas prices surged by 30 percent on Monday, driven by rising oil prices and continued instability in the Middle East. The market remains volatile as the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and th...
Oil price tops $100 for the first time since 2022
The price of American oil, specifically West Texas Intermediate (WTI), has exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time since the summer of 2022. This price level was reached on Sunday, marking a retur...
American companies can shut down our card payments, leading to chaos
Inge van Dijk, Director of Payments at the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), warns that the Netherlands' heavy reliance on American service providers for digital payments poses a significant security risk. Th...
Europe triples arms imports and continues to buy mainly from the US
European countries have tripled their weapon imports in recent years, with the vast majority of equipment sourced from the United States. Data from the SIPRI research institute shows that American exp...
Jetten sees no reason to lower fuel excise duties
Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that there is currently no reason to lower excise duties on fuel despite rising prices. During a television appearance, he emphasized that the government is monitoring...
Aluminum price surges on Gulf region unrest
Aluminum prices surged by nearly 10% this week, marking the largest weekly increase since 2023. The spike is attributed to ongoing geopolitical unrest in the Middle East and the Gulf region.
Drost driving belt factory became successful thanks to the rise of Haarlem as an industrial city
The former Drost drive belt factory in Haarlem, once a key supplier for the city's industrial rise, has been preserved and transformed into the Oerkap restaurant and city beach. After serving as a tan...
Lodewijk Asscher: Every day the AOW turd remains on the table is wasted time
Lodewijk Asscher, a former PvdA leader and key architect of the Dutch pension agreement, has criticized the government for its indecision regarding the AOW state pension age. He expressed frustration ...
Part of Wildlands Emmen zoo closed after suspected bird flu case
Part of Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen has been closed following a suspected bird flu outbreak. The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature is investigating the situation ...
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The Dutch coalition faced internal conflict over actions by VVD Minister Heinen even before the official government policy statement was delivered. This tension underscores the underlying suspicion am...
Food bank in East must close: If this shuts, I won't make ends meet
Stichting Tweede Kans, a food bank and thrift store in Amsterdam-Oost, faces closure as its current building is scheduled for demolition in three months. The foundation is struggling to find an afford...
What usually takes months done in 24 hours: how KLM organized rapid repatriation flights from the Gulf region
KLM successfully organized rapid repatriation flights to bring back hundreds of stranded travelers from the Gulf region to Schiphol airport. The complex logistics, which usually take months to arrange...
Zita Pels (GroenLinks) wants to tackle slumlords: "I’m done being nice"
GroenLinks leader Zita Pels has announced plans to crack down on predatory landlords in Amsterdam to combat high housing costs and market exploitation. Reflecting on her term as alderwoman, she also e...
Look for deductions: how to ensure the lowest possible tax bill
Tax season has begun for approximately 9.4 million people in the Netherlands, who must now file their annual returns. Taxpayers are encouraged to identify eligible deductions, such as healthcare expen...
Daphne (29) feels perfectly healthy but can’t get disability insurance: ‘Was immediately rejected’
Daphne Vasen, a 29-year-old beauty salon owner, was denied disability insurance despite currently being healthy. Insurers rejected her application due to a shoulder injury sustained five years ago, co...