According to the Dutch government, the central government plans to cut about 25,000 staff positions over several years and at the same time step up the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to save budgetary funds. The government expects to raise total annual savings to €3,5 bn from 2035.
Timelines and savings
By 2027 the central government must reduce spending by €900 mn, after which savings will be gradually increased to €3,5 bn per year from 2035. The programme’s implementation foresees cutting approximately 25,000 staff positions over several years.
There are currently about 160,000 people employed in central government bodies, so this amounts to roughly 16% of the current size of the civil service. The figures refer only to the central government; the timing and scale of savings are to be phased in through the middle of the next decade.
Plans for AI and work organisation
One strand of the reform will be a broader use of AI to increase the productivity of public servants. In the first quarter of 2027 the government is set to present specific targets and savings plans from the introduction of AI.
In addition to automation, the authorities plan to standardise information technology (IT) systems, reduce office costs, step up joint procurement and cut the number of administrative procedures. The government also wants to move to one workplace for every two employees and dispose of surplus property.
Cutting rules and advisory bodies
The government plans to abolish or simplify at least 500 rules for citizens and businesses each year. The number of permanent advisory bodies and commissions will be significantly reduced: currently there are 28 permanent advisory councils and around 150 commissions.
In addition, the authorities want to reduce the number of evaluations of public policy, which are currently carried out at about 400 per year.
“We cannot carry on doing what we’ve been doing. We will have to make hard choices for a central government that actually works: simpler, smarter and smaller,” said State Secretary for Effective Governance Erik van den Burg.
