Less money was spent to combat the COVID-19 crisis in 2022 than budgeted. Expenditure will fall further in 2023. The Budget Memorandum for 2022 included expenditure of €19.9 billion, €3.4 billion less than foreseen on Accountability Day 2022. The Budget Memorandum includes €5.5 billion for corona measures in 2023.
Corona Account: total expenditure of €87.6 billion in 2020-2023
The image that has emerged in recent years that Staatsbosbeheer, the Dutch forestry commission, is felling trees on an industrial scale throughout the country is incorrect. An audit by the Netherlands Court of Audit shows that Staatsbosbeheer does not fell trees faster than they grow. However, it is not known whether the working methods of the Netherlands’ largest forest manager and other forest owners are delivering the desired long-term results.
No large-scale logging, but also no national insight into results of forest management
Arno Visser has tendered his resignation as President of the Netherlands Court of Audit to His Majesty the King. Mr Visser has been a member of the Court’s Board since 15 January 2013 and President since 15 October 2015. His resignation will be effective as of 1 January 2023.
Arno Visser resigns as President of the Netherlands Court of Audit
As from 4 November, the Court of Audit will close its office in The Hague during the coming winter months as one of its energy-saving measures. For the time being, staff will work from home on Fridays as part of the Court’s energy-saving package.
Netherlands Court of Audit to close office one day a week to save energy
The Netherlands spent more than €7.4 billion in EU grants in 2014-2020. The European Commission and 4 Dutch ministries are together responsible for the use of this money. But current working methods mean neither Brussels nor The Hague knows whether the money is spent optimally to overcome the most urgent national problems. Improvements are possible.
EU grants make a difference, but do not necessarily meet the greatest challenges
