Public expenditure management in the Netherlands: Prudent budgeting, fiscal retrenchment and market reform

The Netherlands experienced a period of successive budget deficits in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Study Group on the Budget Margin proposed reforms including a medium - term framework and an agreement process for establishing policy and budget priorities for the duration of the parliamentary term. After implementing these reforms, net debt was reduced by 50% from 1995 to 2009.

Panel

Prof Rick Van der Ploeg, former Chief Financial Spokesperson and Member of Parliament (1994-98), currently New College, Oxford

Helmer Vossers, Director of Budget Affairs (Ministry of Finance)

Prof David Heald, University of Aberdeen Business School