© ROBIN UTRECHT
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The core cabinet of the federal government reached agreement on Thursday about the targeted extension of a number of corona support measures. This is reported by the cabinet of Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD). This is a final extension, which will be valid until the end of this year.
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The corona support measures have already cost more than 24 billion. But now that the crisis is on its last legs and the economy is picking up strongly again, the question is whether that support is still necessary. The Flemish government has already decided to stop all aid, and the Flemish majority parties of the federal government were also asking for this. But they ran into a problem with the French speakers. The compromise is that the support will run until the end of this year, but in the meantime it is also being sharply reduced. Prime Minister De Croo indicated on Thursday from New York that 80 percent of the existing measures will be overhauled.
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What’s left? The system of temporary unemployment will be extended for everyone until the end of this year, the self-employed who experience a 65 percent drop in turnover will still receive a bridging right until December 31, the NMBS will receive additional financing, the VAT rate for hydroalcoholic gels and mouth masks will remain unchanged. at 6 percent and there will be a monthly premium of 25 euros for social workers, people with an income guarantee for the elderly or an invalidity allowance.
This last point in particular was still discussed on Wednesday. PS chairman Paul Magnette wanted more money for social measures. The 25 euros is a lower amount than what was initially foreseen, but more people can now enjoy it. The total cost of the package also remains 90 million euros. By way of comparison: in the third quarter of this year it was still 987 million euros. And from the beginning of next year all support will stop.
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